I. noun
also prem·iss ˈpremə̇s
( plural premises also premisses )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English premisse, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, feminine of praemissus, past participle of praemittere to place ahead, send ahead, from prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, from Middle English premisses, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, neuter plural of praemissus — more at smite
1. : a proposition antecedently supposed or proved : a basis of argument: as
a. : a proposition in logic stated or assumed as leading to a conclusion : either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn
b. : something assumed or taken for granted : presupposition ; especially : something implied as a condition precedent
c. obsolete : a condition stated beforehand : stipulation
the premises observed, thy will by my performance shall be served — Shakespeare
2. premises plural : matters previously stated or set forth: as
a. : the part of a deed preceding the habendum, being formerly the first of eight parts making up an old-style deed and serving to state the names and addresses of the parties and to make the recitals necessary to explain the transaction (as the consideration, the capacity of the parties to act, and the identity of the land to be conveyed)
b. : the part of a bill in equity that sets forth the causes of complaint, the parties against whom redress is sought, and other pertinent explanatory matter
3. premises plural
a. archaic : property that is conveyed by bequest or deed
b. : a specified piece or tract of land with the structures on it
c. : a building, buildings, or part of a building covered by or within the stated terms of a policy (as of fire insurance)
d. : the place of business of an enterprise or institution
4. obsolete : an antecedent happening or circumstance — usually used in plural
II. “, prēˈmīz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: partly from premise (I) , partly, from Middle French premis, premise, past participle of premetre to place ahead, from Latin praemittere — more at premise I
transitive verb
1.
a. : to set forth beforehand or as introductory to a main subject : offer previously as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows (as a premise or first proposition on which rest subsequent reasonings)
I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task — Joseph Addison
b. : to presuppose or imply as preexistent : postulate as a condition precedent
2. archaic : to use, send, or do in advance or as an initial step : put before something else ; especially : to do or use in the initial phase of a medical or surgical treatment
3. : to introduce by or with some pertinent thing
let me premise my argument with a bit of history
intransitive verb
: to make a premise : set something forth as a premise
Synonyms: see presuppose