Assume or Presume?

[GavBG]

I was wondering what the difference is between assume & presume and it what context is it correct to use each one?

[north star]

Presume - to accept something is true on the balance of probability.

Assume - to accept something is true with no evidence at all

Stands back and awaits approbrium....

[mrs_overall]

Blast!
A question I could answer and someone beats me to it.

[GavBG]

That's always bugged me, thank you north star.

[Quizmonster]

In many situations - where the meaning is just 'to suppose' - the two words are effectively synonymous..ie mean pretty much the same thing. Otherwise, I wouldn't quite agree with what North Star has already suggested above.
It does depend on just how doubtful about the truth of the matter the speaker/writer is, but to assume means to take for granted as a basis for discussion (some doubt) and presume means just to take for granted or count on (no doubt).