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? [ 1913 Webster ] Suppose they take offence without a cause. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To imagine; to believe; to receive as true. [ 1913 Webster ] How easy is a bush supposed a bear! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature; as, purpose supposes foresight. [ 1913 Webster ] One falsehood always supposes another, and renders all you can say suspected. Female Quixote. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To put by fraud in the place of another. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To imagine; believe; conclude; judge; consider; view; regard; conjecture; assume. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
