premise
[ prem-is ]
/ ˈprɛm ɪs /
noun
Also prem·iss. Logic. a proposition supporting or helping to support a conclusion.
premises,
- a tract of land including its buildings.
- a building together with its grounds or other appurtenances.
- the property forming the subject of a conveyance or bequest.
Law.
- a basis, stated or assumed, on which reasoning proceeds.
- an earlier statement in a document.
- (in a bill in equity) the statement of facts upon which the complaint is based.
verb (used with object), prem·ised, prem·is·ing.
to set forth beforehand, as by way of introduction or explanation.
to assume, either explicitly or implicitly, (a proposition) as a premise for a conclusion.
verb (used without object), prem·ised, prem·is·ing.
to state or assume a premise.
Nearby words
Origin of premise
SYNONYMS FOR premise
Related forms
re·prem·ise, verb, re·prem·ised, re·prem·is·ing.Word story
The noun premise (also spelled premiss ) entered English in the late 14th century, originally as a term used in logic to mean “each of the two propositions in a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn,” ultimately from the Latin phrase prōpositiō praemissa “proposition (in a syllogism) set forth beforehand.” Praemissa in this sense is a feminine singular adjective modifying the feminine singular noun prōpositiō. Praemissa is also a neuter plural past participle used as a noun meaning “matters discussed or mentioned previously” in legal documents, contracts, and wills.
By the second half of the 15th century, premiss acquired the further meaning “houses, buildings and lands previously specified in a deed,” as on a sign prominently displayed above a bar “Licensed to retail beer, wine, spirits, and tobacco to be consumed on the premises.”
By the second half of the 15th century, premiss acquired the further meaning “houses, buildings and lands previously specified in a deed,” as on a sign prominently displayed above a bar “Licensed to retail beer, wine, spirits, and tobacco to be consumed on the premises.”
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for premises
British Dictionary definitions for premises (1 of 2)
premises
/ (ˈprɛmɪsɪz) /
pl n
a piece of land together with its buildings, esp considered as a place of business
law
- (in a deed, etc) the matters referred to previously; the aforesaid; the foregoing
- the introductory part of a grant, conveyance, etc
law (in the US) the part of a bill in equity that states the names of the parties, details of the plaintiff's claims, etc
British Dictionary definitions for premises (2 of 2)
premise
noun (ˈprɛmɪs)
Also: premiss logic a statement that is assumed to be true for the purpose of an argument from which a conclusion is drawn
verb (prɪˈmaɪz, ˈprɛmɪs)
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to state or assume (a proposition) as a premise in an argument, theory, etc
Word Origin for premise
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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