This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of death to the resurrection of the body. Thodey.
That calm assumption of the virtues. W. Black.
3. The thing supposed; a postulate, or proposition assumed; a supposition.
Hold! says the Stoic; your assumption's wrong. Dryden.
4. (Logic) The minor or second proposition in a categorical syllogism.
5. The taking of a person up into heaven. Hence: (Rom. Cath. & Greek Churches) A festival in honor of the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
As*sump"tive (&?;), a. [L. assumptivus, fr. assumptus, fr. assumere.] Assumed, or capable of being assumed; characterized by assumption; making unwarranted claims. -- As*sump"tive*ly, adv.
Assumptive arms (Her.), originally, arms which a person had a right to assume, in consequence of an exploit; now, those assumed without sanction of the Heralds' College. Percy Smith.
As*sur"ance (&?;), n. [OE. assuraunce, F. assurance, fr. assurer. See Assure.] 1. The act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence.
Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts xvii. 31.
Assurances of support came pouring in daily. Macaulay.
2. The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty.
Let us draw with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. x. 22.
3. Firmness of mind; undoubting, steadiness; intrepidity; courage; confidence; self-reliance.
Brave men meet danger with assurance. Knolles.
Conversation with the world will give them knowledge and assurance. Locke.
4. Excess of boldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance is intolerable.
5. Betrothal; affiance. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
6. Insurance; a contract for the payment of a sum on occasion of a certain event, as loss or death.
Recently, assurance has been used, in England, in relation to life contingencies, and insurance in relation to other contingencies. It is called temporary assurance, in the time within which the contingent event must happen is limited. See Insurance.
7. (Law) Any written or other legal evidence of the conveyance of property; a conveyance; a deed.
In England, the legal evidences of the conveyance of property are called the common assurances of the kingdom. Blackstone.
As*sure (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assured (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Assuring.] [OF. aseürer, F. assurer, LL. assecurare; L. ad + securus secure, sure, certain. See Secure, Sure, and cf. Insure.] 1. To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise, declaration, or other evidence.
His promise that thy seed shall bruise our foe . . . Assures me that the bitterness of death Is past, and we shall live. Milton.
2. To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the design of inspiring belief or confidence.
I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. Shak.
3. To confirm; to make certain or secure.
And it shall be assured to him. Lev. xxvii. 19.
The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section a and B · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.