What is "supposing"

Suppose \Sup*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Supposing.] [F. supposer; pref. sub- under + poser to place; -- corresponding in meaning to L. supponere, suppositum, to put under, to substitute, falsify, counterfeit. See Pose.]

1. To represent to one's self, or state to another, not as true or real, but as if so, and with a view to some consequence or application which the reality would involve or admit of; to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration; to assume to be true; as, let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the result?

   Suppose they take offence without a cause.
   --Shak.

   When we have as great assurance that a thing is, as we could possibly, supposing it were, we ought not to make any doubt of its existence.
   --Tillotson.

2. To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.

   How easy is a bush supposed a bear!
   --Shak.

   Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men, the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead.
   --2 Sam. xiii. 32.

3. To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature; as, purpose supposes foresight.

   One falsehood always supposes another, and renders all you can say suspected.
   --Female Quixote.

4. To put by fraud in the place of another. [Obs.]

   Syn: To imagine; believe; conclude; judge; consider; view; regard; conjecture; assume.

n. The act of making a supposition. vb. (present participle of suppose English)