assumed
UK[əˈsjuːmd]US[əˈsuːmd]
adj
accepted as true or as certain to happen, but without proof.
adj
adopted in order to deceive; pretended or fictitious.
Morpheme Breakdown
as
sum
ed
as
to, towards
sum
to take, to get
ed
Etymology
the word 'assumed' originates from the latin verb 'assumere', which is a compound of 'ad-' (to, towards) and 'sumere' (to take). this literal meaning of "to take to oneself" evolved in late latin to signify "to take up, to adopt," and later "to suppose or take for granted." the past participle form 'assumptus' entered middle english via old french 'assumer', with the '-ed' suffix marking its adjectival use. the semantic journey thus moved from the concrete act of taking something up to the abstract mental act of accepting an idea without verification, and further to the notion of adopting a false identity or pretense.
Analysis
Structure: as + sum + ed
as- (latin ad-, meaning "to, towards"), sum (latin sumere, meaning "to take, to get"), -ed (english past participle suffix, forming an adjective).
Examples
she spoke with an assumed confidence that hid her nervousness.
the calculations are based on an assumed rate of inflation.
he lived under an assumed name while working as a spy.