[L. = ‘he has taken upon himself,’ perf. ind. of assūmĕre to ASSUME.]
1. A taking upon oneself, an undertaking; spec. in Law. a. A promise or contract, oral or in writing not sealed, founded upon a consideration; b. An action to recover damages for breach or non-performance of such contract.
1612. Warner, Alb. Eng., I. iv. 14. Hercules … accepts the assumpsit, and prepares the feend-like fish to tame.
1641. Termes de la Ley, 30 b. Assumpsit is a voluntary promise made by word by which a man assumeth and taketh upon him to performe or pay any thing to another.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 157. The assumpsit or undertaking of the defendant.
1853. Wharton, Pa. Digest, 150. Assumpsit lies against a corporation on an implied contract.
† 2. An assumption, a taking for granted. Obs.
a. 1628. F. Greville, Sidney (1653), 95. He saw the vast body of the Empire … under this false assumpsit, to have laid the bridle on the neck of the Emperor. Ibid., 105. Upon these and the like assumpsits he resolved.
