Hypertext Webster Gateway: "assume"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Assume \As*sume"\, v. i.
1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.
--Bp. Burnet.
2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise. --Burrill.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Assume \As*sume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assumed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assuming}.] [L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub +
emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See {Redeem}.]
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
assume
v 1: take to be the case or to be true; accept without
verification or proof; "I assume his train was late"
[syn: {presume}, {take for granted}]
2: take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities; "When
will the new President assume office?" [syn: {adopt}, {take
on}, {take over}]
3: take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; "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" [syn: {acquire}, {adopt}, {take on}, {take}]
4: take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another
person; "I'll accept the charges"; "She agreed to bear the
responsibility" [syn: {bear}, {take over}, {accept}]
5: occupy or take on, as of a position or posture; "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" [syn: {take}, {strike},
{take up}]
6: take control of; take as one's right or possession; "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" [syn: {usurp}, {seize}, {take
over}, {arrogate}]
7: make a pretence of; "She assumed indifference, even though
she was seething with anger"; "he feigned sleep" [syn: {simulate},
{sham}, {feign}]
8: in Christianity: take up someone's soul into heaven; "This
is the day when May was assumed into heaven"
9: put clothing on one's body; "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" [syn: {wear}, {put on}, {get
into}, {don}]
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