assume

[KLPNO]

Hello everyone

I'd like to ask about the meaning of "assume" in the following sentence:

Experiments with the quartz crystals seemed to assume a relationship between the torsion field and the distortion of time.


Does "assume" implies as follows: Experiments with the quartz crystals seemed to make one think that perhaps there was a relationship between the torsion field and the distortion of time?

[colloquium]

I think your interpetation is fairly good.

To assume is to take as true without real evidence or proof.

I think, in the example sentence, assume could be replaced with suggest.

The experiments suggested, gave the impression, and led to the assumption, of a particular effect or result; however the outcome was not considered entirely conclusive.

If the outcome had provided conclusive evidence, the sentence would perhaps read

Experiments with the quartz crystals conclusively proved a relationship between the torsion field and the distortion of time.

I am not a teacher.