v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' süm
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: as · sumed ; as · sum · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take ― more at CONSUME
Date: 15th century
1 a : to take up or in : RECEIVE b : to take into partnership, employment, or use
2 a : to take to or upon oneself : UNDERTAKE < assume responsibility> b : PUT ON , DON c : to place oneself in < assume a position>
3 : SEIZE , USURP < assume control>
4 : to pretend to have or be : FEIGN < assumed an air of confidence in spite of her dismay>
5 : to take as granted or true : SUPPOSE <I assume he'll be there>
6 : to take over (the debts of another) as one's own
– as · sum · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ sü-m ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– as · sum · able \ - ' sü-m ə -b ə l \ adjective
– as · sum · ably \ -bl ē \ adverb
synonyms ASSUME , AFFECT , PRETEND , SIMULATE , FEIGN , COUNTERFEIT , SHAM mean to put on a false or deceptive appearance. ASSUME often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive < assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients>. AFFECT implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling < affected an interest in art>. PRETEND implies an overt and sustained false appearance < pretended that nothing had happened>. SIMULATE suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something <cosmetics that simulate a suntan>. FEIGN implies more artful invention than PRETEND less specific mimicry than SIMULATE < feigned sickness>. COUNTERFEIT implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words <an actor counterfeiting drunkenness>. SHAM implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible < shammed a most unconvincing limp>.