Presume vs Signify - What's the difference?
presume | signify | Related terms |
With infinitive object: to be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission.
To assume to be true (without proof); to take for granted, to suppose.
* 2011 , John Patterson, The Guardian , 5 Feb 2011:
To be presumptuous; with (on), (upon), to take advantage (of), to take liberties (with).
* 1994 , Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom , Abacus 2010, p. 75:
To give (something) a meaning or an importance.
To show one’s intentions with a sign etc.
* (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
* (rfdate) (Jonathan Swift)
To mean; to betoken.
* (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
Presume is a related term of signify.
As verbs the difference between presume and signify
is that presume is while signify is to give (something) a meaning or an importance.presume
English
Alternative forms
* (archaic)Verb
(presum)- Don't make the decision yourself and presume too much.
- I wouldn't presume to tell him how to do his job.
- If we presume that human cloning may one day become a mundane, everyday reality, then maybe it's time to start thinking more positively about our soon-to-arrive genetically engineered pseudo-siblings.
- Piliso then vented his anger on us, accusing us of lying to him. He said we had presumed on his hospitality and the good name of the regent.
Quotations
* Paw prints in the snow presume a visit from next door's cat. * Dr. Livingstone, I presume ?Synonyms
* (l)Derived terms
* presumed perpetratorAnagrams
* ----signify
English
Verb
(en-verb)- I'll to the king; and signify to him / That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
- The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.
- A tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.