I. prem·ise noun
also pre·miss ˈpre-məs
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English premisse, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, feminine of praemissus, past participle of praemittere to place ahead, from prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, from Middle English premisses, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, neuter plural of praemissus
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a proposition antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of argument or inference ; specifically : either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn
b. : something assumed or taken for granted : presupposition
2. plural : matters previously stated ; specifically : the preliminary and explanatory part of a deed or of a bill in equity
3. plural
[from its being identified in the premises of the deed]
a. : a tract of land with the buildings thereon
b. : a building or part of a building usually with its appurtenances (as grounds)
II. pre·mise ˈpre-məs also pri-ˈmīz transitive verb
( pre·mised ; pre·mis·ing )
Date: 1526
1.
a. : to set forth beforehand as an introduction or a postulate
b. : to offer as a premise in an argument
2. : postulate
3. : to base on certain assumptions