presupposition
noun /ˌpriːsʌpəˈzɪʃn/
/ˌpriːsʌpəˈzɪʃn/
[countable, uncountable] (formal)- something that you believe to be true and use as the beginning of an argument even though it has not been proved; the act of believing it is true synonym assumption
- theories based on presupposition and coincidence
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentc2- Try to clear your mind of any presuppositions.
- Your presuppositions are quite wrong.
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from medieval Latin praesuppositio(n-), from the verb praesupponere, from prae ‘before’ + supponere ‘place under’ (from sub- ‘from below’ + ponere ‘to place’).