Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Premise?

\Prem"ise\, n.; pl. {Premises}. [Written also, less properly, {premiss}.] [F. pr['e]misse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See {Mission}.] 1. A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition. The premises observed, Thy will by my performance shall be served. --Shak. 2. (Logic) Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn. Note: ``All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner.'' These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment. While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion. --Dr. H. More. 3. pl. (Law) Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted. 4. pl. A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.
\Pre*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Premised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Premising}.] [From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See {Premise}, n.] 1. To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously. [Obs.] The premised flames of the last day. --Shak. If venesection and a cathartic be premised. --E. Darwin. 2. To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings. I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task. --Addison.
\Pre*mise"\, v. i. To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise. --Swift.