Pre-sümption, n.

(pre-züm'shun, 84), n. [Lat. præsumptio, Fr. présomption, Pr. presompcio, presumption, Sp. presuncion, It. presunzione. See PRESUME.]

1. The act of believing upon probable evidence, or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof; opinion.
2. Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not conclusive; strong probability; as, the presumption is that an event has taken place, or will take place.
3. That which is presumed; a thing believed true on satisfactory evidence. “In contradiction to these very plausible presumptions.” De Quincey.
4. The act of venturing beyond due bounds; forward, venturesome, over-confident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; unreasonable confidence; presumptuousness; arrogance.

Thy son I killed for his presumption. Shak. I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished piece. Dryden. 5. (Law.) The taking of a fact or proposition to be true before it is positively shown or certainly known to be so; an inference as to the existence of one fact not certainly known, from the existence of some other fact known or proved, founded on a previous experience of their connection; supposition of the truth or real existence of something without direct or positive proof of the fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief. Starkie. Burrill. Best.