The Collaborative International Dictionary
Presumptive \Pre*sump"tive\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]somptif.]
Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof.
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Presumptuous; arrogant. [R.]
--Sir T. Browne.Presumptive evidence (Law), that which is derived from circumstances which necessarily or usually attend a fact, as distinct from direct evidence or positive proof; indirect or circumstantial evidence. ``Presumptive evidence of felony should be cautiously admitted.''
--Blackstone. The distinction, however, between direct and presumptive (or circumstantial) evidence is now generally abandoned; all evidence being now more or less direct and more or less presumptive.Presumptive heir. See Heir presumptive, under Heir.
Usage examples of "presumptive heir".
By letting Kennard take me offworld, they gave tacit consent for Marius as presumptive Heir, I’.
As soon as he reached Tiberias in Palestine, he was apprised of the sickness and danger of the caliph, by a private message from Soliman, his brother and presumptive heir.
The apostate soon became the presumptive heir of the monarchy, and his death could alone have appeased the just apprehensions of the Christians.
But when an oath of allegiance was required to the presumptive heir, Andronicus alone asserted the honor of the Roman name, declined the unlawful engagement, and boldly protested against the adoption of a stranger.
Harvey came to inform him that a claimant had appeared, and given notice of his intent to file a bill in Chancery to recover the estate, being, as he asserted, the son of the person who had been considered as the presumptive heir, and who had perished so many years back.
There he became a supporter of the Caliph’s eldest son - and presumptive heir - Nizar.
When the presumptive heir enters the world, they devote all the sucking children to his service during his life.
She, Corder Leary's pride and presumptive heir, spent most of her time in the family townhouse in Xenos under the care of nurses and other hirelings.
She, Corder Learys pride and presumptive heir, spent most of her time in the family townhouse in Xenos under the care of nurses and other hirelings.
The prince des Deux Pouts was presumptive heir to an immense inheritance, that of the electorate of Bavaria, and the electorate Palatine, to the latter of which he was direct heir after the decease of his cousin, the present elector.
Our author must therefore be understood to say, that the son first born to any one of the four empresses was considered as the presumptive heir.
At the beginning of the war, however, the presumptive heir was Charles Lee.