Presumption
/prɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/noun
An assumption taken for granted, or an act of overstepping proper limits.
Did you know?In older English, presumption could mean not just boldness, but a sin of overconfidence against divine or social order, which is why it still feels morally charged.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*em-
“to take, to seize”
Latin
Latin
praesumere
“to take beforehand, anticipate; later, to presume”
Late Latin
Latin
praesumptio
“a taking beforehand; an assumption”
Old French
Old French
presumpcion
“presumption, arrogance, overboldness”
Middle English
English
presumpcioun
“boldness, overconfidence, assumption”
Modern English
English
presumption
“an assumption or arrogant boldness”