assume

verb

Etymology: From Latin assūmō (“accept, take”), from ad- (“to, towards, at”) + sūmō (“take up, assume”).

1. To authenticate by means of belief; to surmise; to suppose to be true, especially without proof.

   “We assume that, as her parents were dentists, she knows quite a bit about dentistry.”

   “Levelling of ME /irC/ and /urC/, which Orton assumes for the whole of the North (S. Durham §§411-13), has not taken place in Dent and S.We, where ME /urC/ remains (4:46).”

2. To take on a position, duty or form.

   “Mr. Jones will assume the position of a lifeguard until a proper replacement is found.”

   “Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne.”

3. To adopt a feigned quality or manner; to claim without right; to arrogate.

   “He assumed an air of indifference.”

   “Assume a virtue, if you have it not.”

4. To receive, adopt (a person).

   “The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company.”

5. To adopt (an idea or cause).