[prom.ise] n [ME promis, fr. L promissum, fr. neut. of promissus, pp. of promittere to send forth, promise, fr. pro- forth + mittere to send] (15c) 1 a: a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified b: a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act
2: reason to expect something "little ~ of relief"; esp: ground for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence "shows considerable ~"
3: something that is promised
[2]promise vb prom.ised ; prom.is.ing vt (15c) 1: to pledge to do, bring about, or provide "~ aid"
2. archaic: warrant, assure 3 chiefly dial: betroth
4: to suggest beforehand: give promise of "dark clouds ~ rain" ~ vi 1: to make a promise
2: to give ground for expectation: be imminent -- prom.is.ee n -- prom.i.sor also prom.is.er n