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Presumption vs Conceit - What's the difference?

presumption | conceit | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between presumption and conceit

is that presumption is the act of presuming, or something presumed while conceit is something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought.

As a verb conceit is

to form an idea; to think.

presumption

Noun

(en noun)
  • the act of presuming, or something presumed
  • * De Quincey
  • in contradiction to these very plausible presumptions
  • the belief of something based upon reasonable evidence, or upon something known to be true
  • The presumption is that an event has taken place.
  • the condition upon which something is presumed
  • (dated) arrogant behaviour; the act of venturing beyond due bounds of reverence or respect
  • * Shakespeare
  • Thy son I killed for his presumption .
  • * Dryden
  • I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very unfinished piece.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    conceit

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Noun

  • (obsolete) Something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • In laughing, there ever procedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous.
  • * Bible, Proverbs xxvi. 12
  • a man wise in his own conceit
  • The faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension.
  • a man of quick conceit
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
  • How often, alas! did her eyes say unto me that they loved! and yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them.
  • Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy.
  • * Shakespeare
  • His wit's as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there is no more conceit in him than is in a mallet.
  • (obsolete) Opinion, (neutral) judgment.
  • * 1499 , (John Skelton), The Bowge of Courte :
  • By him that me boughte, than quod Dysdayne, / I wonder sore he is in suche cenceyte .
  • (countable) A novel or fanciful idea; a whim.
  • * L'Estrange
  • On his way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit .
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Some to conceit alone their works confine, / And glittering thoughts struck out at every line.
  • * Dryden
  • Tasso is full of conceits which are not only below the dignity of heroic verse but contrary to its nature.
  • (countable, rhetoric, literature) An ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.
  • (uncountable) Overly high self-esteem; vain pride; hubris.
  • * Cotton
  • Plumed with conceit he calls aloud.
  • Design; pattern.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Derived terms

    * conceited * conceitedly * conceitedness * self-conceit

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To form an idea; to think.
  • * 1643 : , The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce
  • Those whose vulgar apprehensions conceit but low of matrimonial purposes.
  • (obsolete) To conceive.
  • * South
  • The strong, by conceiting themselves weak, are therebly rendered as inactive as if they really were so.
  • * Shakespeare
  • One of two bad ways you must conceit me, / Either a coward or a flatterer.