prēˈzəm(p)shən, prə̇ˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English presumpcioun presumptuous attitude or conduct, assumption, from Old French presumption, from Late Latin praesumption-, praesumptio presumptuous attitude or conduct (from Latin) & Latin praesumption-, praesumptio assumption, from Latin praesumptus (past participle of praesumere to anticipate, suppose, take in advance) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at presume
1. : presumptuous attitude or conduct : the taking of too much on oneself : the overstepping of limits of propriety, courtesy, or morality : audacity , effrontery
the two qualities most generally associated with Satan were acuteness of intellect and presumption of Spirit — Irving Kristol
you know nothing about the … law, and yet you have the presumption to attempt to influence me — Kenneth Roberts
2.
a. : an attitude or belief dictated by probability : assumption
the presumption is on the side of established moral law — J.A.Pike
b. : the ground, reason, or evidence lending probability to a belief
3. law : an inference as to the existence of the fact not certainly known from the known or proved existence of some other fact, sometimes operating as evidence, sometimes as a rule of procedure as to who must proceed with evidence on the main issue, or as to who has the burden of proof and sometimes having no effect as evidence, once evidence on the issue is in — distinguished from fiction