Also 4–6 -cyon, -tyowne, etc. [ad. L. assūmptiōn-em, n. of action f. assūmĕre: see ASSUME v. and -TION. Cf. also OF. asompsion 13th c., assomption 16th c. As with other such words (cf. advent, annunciation), the specific ecclesiastical use was the earliest in Eng.]
I. The action of taking to oneself; reception, adoption.
1. The action of receiving up into heaven; ascent to or reception into heaven.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 21. The wonderfull resurrection of our Saviour, and his assumption into the heavens.
1627. trans. Bacon’s Life & Death (1651), 15. He … lived after the Assumption of Elias, sixty yeares.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., lxxiii. Can hang no weight upon my heart In its assumptions up to heaven.
b. esp. The reception of the Virgin Mary into heaven, with body preserved from corruption, which is a generally accepted doctrine in the Roman Catholic Church. Also the feast held annually on the 15th of August in honor of this event.
1297. R. Glouc., 570. After þe Assumption þe vifte day iwis, He dude him in þe se at Douere.
c. 1430. Hymns to Virg. (1871), 474. Þat holi assumpcioun Of his blessid modir.
a. 1520. Myrr. Oure Ladye, 5. From tyme of her sonnes passyon vnto her assumpcyon.
1674. Brevint, Saul at Endor, 143. Her other Solemn and great Feast, which they call the Assumtion.
1884. Addis & Arnold, Cath. Dict., s.v., The denial of the Blessed Virgin’s corporal assumption into heaven, though by no means contrary to the faith, is still so much opposed to the common agreement of the Church, that it would be a mark of insolent temerity.
† 2. Elevation to office or dignity. Obs.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc. (1647), 160. A distinction of orders … and assumptions to them respectively.
1687. N. Johnston, Assur. Abb. Lands, 94. The news of … the Assumption of Queen Mary to the Crown.
3. Reception into union or association; incorporation, inclusion; adoption. arch. or Obs.
1617. Collins, Def. Bp. Ely, II. x. 425. How the flesh and humane nature of Christ may be worshipped, by the priuiledge of their assumption into his Godhead.
1661. Origen’s Opin., in Phœnix (1721), I. Those Parts of Matter … in their innumerable Assumptions and Adoptions into other Bodies.
1774. Warton, Eng. Poetry, xlv. (1840), III. 151. It is evident that the prose psalms of our liturgy were chiefly consulted … by the perpetual assumptions of their words.
1811. L. Hawkins, C’tess & Gertrude, 244. The assumption into Lady Luxmore’s confined house … of Mr. Sterling.
† 4. The taking of food, etc., into the body. Obs.
1599. B. Jonson, Ev. Man out of Hum., III. iii. 43. The most gentlemanlike use of tabacco … the delicate sweete formes for the assumption of it.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., I. v. 9 (T.). To the nutrition of the body there are two essential conditions required, assumption and retention.
II. The action of taking for or upon oneself.
5. The taking upon oneself of a form or character; formal taking of office or position.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 238. The assumption of humane shape, had proved a disadvantage unto Sathan.
1768. H. Walpole, Hist. Doubts, 108. Before Richard’s assumption of the crown.
1866. Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. v. 121. The festival following the assumption of the Bachelor’s degree.
b. The form or character assumed.
1871. Athenæum, 15 April, 471. Madame Pauline Lucca … has appeared in two of her best assumptions.
6. Law. A promise or undertaking, either oral or in writing not sealed.
1590. Swinburn, Testaments, 229. The promise or assumption made by the testator.
1853. Wharton, Pa. Digest, 75. A principal is not liable for the assumptions of an agent who exceeds his authority.
7. The action of taking possession of, appropriation. Arms of assumption = ASSUMPTIVE arms.
1754. Erskine, Princ. Sc. Law (1809), 53. Particular localities were assigned in every benefice, to the extent of a third, called the assumption of thirds.
a. 1832. Mackintosh, Revol. of 1688, Wks. 1846, II. 313. The assumption of the whole legislative authority.
1870. R. Ferguson, Electr., 7. Steel therefore has a force which … resists the assumption of magnetism.
8. The action of laying claim to as a possession, unwarrantable claim, usurpation.
1647. Crashaw, Steps to Temple (1858), 79. We to the last Will hold it fast, And no assumption shall deny us.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, Wks. 1842, II. 287. This astonishing assumption of the publick voice of England.
1872. Black, Adv. Phaeton, xvi. 216. That calm assumption of the virtues of meekness and patience was a little too much.
9. A taking too much upon oneself, a laying claim to undue importance; arrogance.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. iii. 133. In selfe-assumption greater Then in the note of judgement.
1814. Scott, Wav., xlix. His usual air of haughty assumption.
1856. R. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. 97. On consideration of his services to priestly assumption.
10. The taking of anything for granted as the basis of argument or action.
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 145/2. He used Arguments not by Assumption, but by Inference.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 74. It steers clear of the fatal assumption of physical elements, merely upon the grounds of mathematical conclusions.
1874. Sayce, Compar. Philol., vi. 254. The assumption of pronominal roots … might mean anything or nothing.
11. That which is assumed or taken for granted; a supposition, postulate.
a. 1628. F. Greville, Sidney (1652), 58. He had no hope of bringing these curious assumptions to pass.
1693. Dryden, Juvenal, Sat. V. 123. 65 (J.). Hold, says the Stoick, your Assumption’s wrong.
1798. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., I. 4. This assumption is directly at variance with the general tenor of the public records.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., II. viii. 201. Language which was only pardonable on the assumption that it was inspired.
12. Logic. The minor premiss of a syllogism.
1588. Fraunce, Lawiers Log., I. iii. 19. The assumption was this, ‘But Paris is idle.’
1628. T. Spencer, Logic, 276. Here we haue the … assumption vniversally affirmatiue.
1837–8. Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, xv. (1866), I. 281. The other premise, which enounces the application of the general rule … is called the Minor Premise, the Minor Proposition, the Assumption, or the Subsumption.
