Assume — Defs

01 v. t. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.

imp. & p. p. Assumed; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuming

1.
To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.
“Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne.” — Pope.

“The god assumed his native form again.” — Pope.
2.
To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
“The consequences of assumed principles.” — Whewell.
3.
To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.
“Ambition assuming the mask of religion.” — Porteus.

“Assume a virtue, if you have it not.” — Shak.
4.
To receive or adopt.
“The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company.” — Sir W. Scott.

Syn. To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.

02 v. i. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.