- assume (v.) - early 15c., assumpten "to receive up into
heaven" (especially of the Virgin Mary), also assumen "to
arrogate," from Latin assumere "to take up, take to oneself,"
from ad- "to, up" (see ad-) + sumere "to take," from sub "under"
+ emere "to take" (see exempt (adj.)). Meaning "to suppose, to
take for granted as the basis of argument" is first recorded
1590s; that of "to take or put on (an appearance, etc.)" is from
c.1600. Related: Assumed; assuming. Early past participle was
assumpt. In rhetorical usage, assume expresses what the assumer
postulates, often as a confessed hypothesis; presume expresses
what the presumer really believes.