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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Presumptuous, adj. Also: -uousse, -uos, -uus, -ewous, -euus, -(o)us, preswmptwus, praesumptuows. [ME (c 1350) and e.m.E. presumptuous, e.m.E. also presumtuous (1673), OF presuntuex (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), presumptuoux, mod. F. présomptueux, late L. præsumptuōs-us, (c 1080 in Latham) var. of præsumptiōs-us Presumptious adj.]

1. Presumptuous, attempting more than is warranted by one's abilities or station; unduly self-confident, arrogant, overweening.Of persons and their actions and attributes. Also comb. with -like (Like E 2).(1) c1420 Wynt. vii 2612 (W).
That Scotland wes richt rebellous, And violent and presumptuous [R. off presumptyown] 1456 Hay II 31/6.
That never … traytour mycht our cum … a trew knycht bot gif it be throw pride or surquidy, that is callit our presumptuous in him self Ib. I 84/2, 150/29. a1500 Henr. Fab. 592 (Bann.).
Presumptuous [C. presumpteous] c1515 Asl. MS I 200/2.
For samekle as all Ynglis men ar so presumptuos in thar argumentis and collationis of thair cornikillis 1490 Irland Mir. II 140/25.
Thir daft and presumptuus pepil desauit be the … innemy(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1428 (Bann.).
Presumpteuus 1667 Highland P. II 22.
Doe yow see how these presumptewous fellowes dare bide … to see me and my following?(c) c1460 Thewis Wysmen 423.
Thai ar presumptus, ful of bost a1578 Pitsc. II 143/21.
Presumptous(2) c1420 Wynt. vii Prol. 19.
Swa my wan wyt preswmptwus [C. presumptuousse, W. presumptuous] … A matere gud suld blok or spylle 1533 Boece 202 b.
Quhat presumptuous folie [L. quam fuerit temerarium] is to sic barbare pepill … to contempne the charge of Romanis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3088.
Hir presumptuous answeryng a1568 Bann. MS 140 a/16.
Thow wilbe hangit … For mony presumptous forsworn aith 1562-3 Winȝet I 50/27.
To hef vsurpit to thame in maist præsumptuows bauldnes … to compell thair scoleris to [etc.] 1571 Bann. Trans. 102.
He workis … be sic presumptuous [Memor. presumptious] and mallepert arrogance … to [etc.](3) comb. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 1.
It may look well presumptuous-like to read or undertake to open this book

2. Based on seemingly probable inference rather than on actual evidence (see Presumptio(u)n(e n. 2 and 3); suppositious, presumptive. a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1655) 226.
He presented … a number of presumptuous likelyhoods and conjectures, to make it appear that she was privy to the murther Bothwell had committed