■ noun 'prɛmɪs ( Brit. also premiss ) Logic a previous statement from which another is inferred.
↘an underlying assumption.
■ verb prɪ'mʌɪz , 'prɛmɪs
1》 ( ~ on/upon ) base (an argument, theory, etc.) on.
2》 state or presuppose as a ~.
Origin
ME: from OFr. premisse , from med. L. praemissa (propositio) '(proposition) set in front', from L. praemittere , from prae 'before' + mittere 'send'.