assume
Meaning
to think or accept that something is true but without having proof of it
to take or begin to have power, responsibility, or control, sometimes without the right to do so
to begin to have a particular quality or appearance
Structure
Usage
i think we can safely assume that the meeting has been cancelled.
the new president will assume office in january.
in the story, the god assumes the form of a swan.
Etymology
the verb 'assume' originates from the latin assumere, a compound of ad- ('to, towards') and sumere ('to take, obtain, buy'). this literal sense of 'taking to oneself' evolved in latin to encompass meanings such as 'to take up, adopt, or undertake'. entering english via old french assumer in the late 15th century, the word's meaning broadened from the physical act of taking on a duty or office to the intellectual act of taking something as true without proof. this semantic shift reflects a movement from concrete action to abstract mental acceptance, a common pathway in lexical evolution.
Analysis
ad- (latin prefix, meaning 'to, towards'), sume (from latin verb sumere, meaning 'to take')