An implicit assumption or belief that underlies a statement, argument, or way of thinking. It represents background knowledge or beliefs that are taken for granted as the foundation for further reasoning or communication.
From Latin prefix 'prae-' (before) and 'suppositio' (a placing under, assumption). The word literally means 'supposing beforehand'. It entered English in the 16th century through philosophical and theological discussions, later adopted by linguistics to describe implicit assumptions in language use.
Presuppositions are like the invisible foundation of every conversation - they're the shared assumptions that make communication possible, but they're also where most arguments actually start! In linguistics, every question contains presuppositions: asking 'When did you stop smoking?' presupposes that you once smoked.
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