presumptuous, presumptive
- presumptuous, presumptive
Presumptuous and presumptive come from Latin words meaning "to undertake beforehand," but they have different meanings in English. A presumptuous person is arrogant; he presumes too much; he takes too much for granted; he takes excessive liberties; he is bold: "It would be presumptuous of me to tell you how to handle your affairs." "To argue with an expert such as he is seems presumptuous." Presumptive, chiefly a legal term, means "based on inference," "not fully established," "affording only a basis for a supposition": "This case cannot be tried on merely presumptive evidence." "Until the will is read, your role as heir to the estate is presumptive."
Dictionary of problem words and expressions.
Harry Shaw.
1975.
Look at other dictionaries:
presumptuous — See presumptuous, presumptive … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
presumptive — See presumptuous, presumptive … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
presumptive — , presumptuous The first is sometimes used when the second is intended. Presumptuous means impudent and inclined to take liberties, or to act in a manner that is excessively bold and forthright. Presumptive means giving grounds to presume and… … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
Presumptive — Pre*sump tive, a. [Cf. F. pr[ e]somptif.] 1. Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof. [1913 Webster] 2. Presumptuous; arrogant. [R.] Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster] {Presumptive evidence}… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Presumptive evidence — Presumptive Pre*sump tive, a. [Cf. F. pr[ e]somptif.] 1. Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof. [1913 Webster] 2. Presumptuous; arrogant. [R.] Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Presumptive heir — Presumptive Pre*sump tive, a. [Cf. F. pr[ e]somptif.] 1. Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof. [1913 Webster] 2. Presumptuous; arrogant. [R.] Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
presumptive, presumptuous — The first is sometimes used when the second is intended. Presumptuous means impudent and inclined to take liberties, or to act in a manner that is excessively bold and forthright. Presumptive means giving grounds to presume and is primarily a… … Dictionary of troublesome word
presumptive, presumptuous — The first is sometimes used when the second is intended. Presumptuous means impudent and inclined to take liberties, or to act in a manner that is excessively bold and forthright. Presumptive means giving grounds to presume and is primarily a… … Dictionary of troublesome word
presumptive — adjective a) Based on presumption, probability, conjecture, hypothesis or belief By late May, he was already considered his partys presumptive nominee. b) making presumptions; behaving as one who presumes, who assumes that which they perhaps… … Wiktionary
presumptuous — pre•sump•tu•ous [[t]prɪˈzʌmp tʃu əs[/t]] adj. 1) characterized by or showing presumption or readiness to presume; unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward 2) Obs. presumptive • Etymology: 1300–50; ME < LL praesūmptuōsus, var. of L… … From formal English to slang
