Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Assume \As*sume"\, v. i.
   1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.
      --Bp. Burnet.

   2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise. --Burrill.

Assume \As*sume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assumed}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Assuming}.] [L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub +
   emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See {Redeem}.]
   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.

Source : WordNet®

assume
     v 1: take to be the case or to be true; accept without
          verification or proof; "I assume his train was late"
          [syn: {presume}, {take for granted}]
     2: take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities; "When
        will the new President assume office?" [syn: {adopt}, {take
        on}, {take over}]
     3: take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; "His voice
        took on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he
        adopted an air of superiority"; "She assumed strange
        manners"; "The gods assume human or animal form in these
        fables" [syn: {acquire}, {adopt}, {take on}, {take}]
     4: take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another
        person; "I'll accept the charges"; "She agreed to bear the
        responsibility" [syn: {bear}, {take over}, {accept}]
     5: occupy or take on; "He assumes the lotus position"; "She
        took her seat on the stage"; "We took our seats in the
        orchestra"; "She took up her position behind the tree";
        "strike a pose" [syn: {take}, {strike}, {take up}]
     6: seize and take control without authority and possibly with
        force; take as one's right or possession; "He assumed to
        himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he
        usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne
        after her husband died" [syn: {usurp}, {seize}, {take over},
         {arrogate}]
     7: make a pretence of; "She assumed indifference, even though
        she was seething with anger"; "he feigned sleep" [syn: {simulate},
         {sham}, {feign}]
     8: Christianity, obsolete; take up someone's soul into heaven;
        "This is the day when May was assumed into heaven"
     9: put clothing on one's body; "What should I wear today?"; "He
        put on his best suit for the wedding"; "The princess
        donned a long blue dress"; "The queen assumed the stately
        robes"; "He got into his jeans" [syn: {wear}, {put on}, {get
        into}, {don}]