PRESUMPTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does presumptive mean? 

• PRESUMPTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective PRESUMPTIVE has 2 senses:

1. having a reasonable basis for belief or acceptance

2. affording reasonable grounds for belief or acceptance

  Familiarity information: PRESUMPTIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRESUMPTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having a reasonable basis for belief or acceptance

Context example:

the presumptive heir (or heir apparent)

Similar:

likely; probable (likely but not certain to be or become true or real)

Derivation:

presume (take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof)

presume (constitute reasonable evidence for)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Affording reasonable grounds for belief or acceptance

Context example:

a strong presumptive case is made out

Similar:

believable; credible (capable of being believed)

Derivation:

presume (take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof)

presume (constitute reasonable evidence for)

 Context examples 

The heir presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose rights had been so generously supported by her father, had disappointed her.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him; and certainly, the pains he had been taking on this, the first opportunity of reconciliation, to be restored to the footing of a relation and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his opinions on the subject.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable family, in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire; how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff, representing a borough in three successive parliaments, exertions of loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year of Charles II, with all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married; forming altogether two handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms and motto:—Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of Somerset, and Sir Walter's handwriting again in this finale:—Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the second Sir Walter.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)