assume Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
    take for granted; presume.
    • I assume his train was late
  2. verb take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
    take on; take over; adopt.
    • When will the new President assume office?
  3. verb take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
    take on; acquire; take; adopt.
    • His voice took on a sad tone
    • The story took a new turn
    • he adopted an air of superiority
    • She assumed strange manners
    • The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
  4. verb take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person
    take over; accept; bear.
    • I'll accept the charges
    • She agreed to bear the responsibility
  5. verb occupy or take on
    strike; take up; take.
    • He assumes the lotus position
    • She took her seat on the stage
    • We took our seats in the orchestra
    • She took up her position behind the tree
    • strike a pose
  6. verb seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
    arrogate; take over; usurp; seize.
    • He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
    • he usurped my rights
    • She seized control of the throne after her husband died
  7. verb make a pretence of
    feign; simulate; sham.
    • She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger
    • he feigned sleep
  8. verb take up someone's soul into heaven
    • This is the day when May was assumed into heaven
  9. verb put clothing on one's body
    don; get into; wear; put on.
    • What should I wear today?
    • He put on his best suit for the wedding
    • The princess donned a long blue dress
    • The queen assumed the stately robes
    • He got into his jeans

WordNet

As*sume" transitive verb
Etymology
L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See Redeem.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Assumed present participle & verbal noun Assuming
Definitions
  1. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.
    Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne. Pope.
    The god assumed his native form again. Pope.
  2. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
    The consequences of assumed principles. Whewell.
  3. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.
    Ambition assuming the mask of religion. Porteus.
    Assume a virtue, if you have it not. Shak.
  4. To receive or adopt.
    The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company. Sir W. Scott.
    Syn. -- To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.
As*sume" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due. Bp. Burnet.
  2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise. Burrill.

Webster 1913