premise

[ prem-is ]

noun

1. Also premiss. Logic. a proposition supporting or helping to support a conclusion.

   Synonyms: postulate, assumption

2. premises,
   1. a tract of land including its buildings.
   2. a building together with its grounds or other appurtenances.
   3. the property forming the subject of a conveyance or bequest.
3. Law.
   1. a basis, stated or assumed, on which reasoning proceeds.
   2. an earlier statement in a document.
   3. (in a bill in equity) the statement of facts upon which the complaint is based.

verb (used with object)

, prem·ised, prem·is·ing.

1. to set forth beforehand, as by way of introduction or explanation.
2. to assume, either explicitly or implicitly, (a proposition) as a premise for a conclusion.

   Synonyms: hypothesize, postulate

verb (used without object)

, prem·ised, prem·is·ing.

1. to state or assume a premise.

premise

noun

1. Alsopremiss logic a statement that is assumed to be true for the purpose of an argument from which a conclusion is drawn

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object to state or assume (a proposition) as a premise in an argument, theory, etc

Other Words From

• re·premise verb repremised repremising

Word History and Origins

Origin of premise¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English premiss, from Medieval Latin praemissa, noun use of feminine of Latin praemissus, past participle of praemittere “to send before,” equivalent to prae- “before, in front, ahead,” + mittere “to send”; pre-

Word History and Origins

Origin of premise¹

C14: from Old French prémisse, from Medieval Latin praemissa sent on before, from Latin praemittere to dispatch in advance, from prae before + mittere to send

Example Sentences

Fashion and advertising are entwined in Vogue's content but Wintour doesn’t accept my premise that fashion journalism can be sycophantic.

From BBC

The measure is part of the Fair Labor Standards Act and based on the premise that disabled employers are less productive.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month Westminster City Council closed the celebrity hangout following claims a "recent serious criminal offence" had taken place at the premises.

From BBC

Mr Thevathas did not challenge the revocation of the premises licence he had held since 22 August.

From BBC

Even if we accept the premise of a mandate, there is little consensus on when a candidate has achieved it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assertion
• assumption
• basis
• ground
• presumption
• proposition
• thesis