Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-SUME, v.t. [s as z. Fr. presumer; It. presumere; Sp. presumir; from L. præsumo; præ, before, and sumo, to take.]

To take or suppose to be true or entitled to belief, without examination or positive proof, or on the strength of probability. We presume that a man is honest, who has not been known to cheat or deceive; but in this we are sometimes mistaken. In many cases, the law presumes full payment where positive evidence of it can not be produced. We not only presume it may be so, but we actually find it so. – Gov. of the Tongue. In cases of implied contracts, the law presumes that a man has covenanted or contracted to do what reason and justice dictate. – Blackstone.