presumption
part of speech
noun (a presumption, presumptions; presumption uncountable)
meaning for a pupil
1) Something you believe is true without proof: «the presumption that he was at home». tree →
2) (law) An idea a court treats as true until proved otherwise: «the presumption of innocence». tree →
3) Rude, too-confident behaviour, doing something you have no right to do: «What presumption, to sit in the head's chair!» tree →
sense in the lessons
In maths and science, presumptions must be checked; in law «innocent until proven guilty» is the presumption of innocence. In stories it can describe a cheeky or arrogant character. Phrases: «the presumption of innocence», «on the presumption that», «a fair presumption».
examples
- Our plan was based on the presumption that it would not rain. tree →
- In court there is a presumption of innocence. tree →
- The presumption that all spiders are dangerous is wrong. tree →
- She acted on the presumption that her friend had the tickets. tree →
- His presumption in reading my diary made me cross. tree →
- That was a reasonable presumption, but it turned out false. tree →
- Scientists test presumptions with experiments. tree →
- ‘Oh!’ he implored, ‘pardon my presumption; necessity alone drove me to the deed. tree →
note
Countable for a belief (presumptions); uncountable for rude boldness. Verb: presume; adjective: presumptuous (too bold), presumable. Close to «assumption»; a presumption is usually a little stronger, based on some reason.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «presumption» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.