All 3 Uses of
assume
in
The Merchant of Venice
- I will assume desert.†
Scene 2.9 *
- There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
Scene 3.2 *assumes = takes on
- How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars; Who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk; And these assume but valour's excrement To render them redoubted!†
Scene 3.2
Definitions:
-
(assume as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising
-
(assume as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof