premise

¹prem·ise

noun \ˈpre-məs\

Definition of PREMISE

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)

Variants of PREMISE

prem·ise also pre·miss \ˈpre-məs\

Examples of PREMISE

1. They were asked to leave the premises.
2. The company leases part of the premises to smaller businesses.
3. The premises were searched by the police.
4. He disagreed with her premise.
5. the basic premises of the argument
6. a theory based on the simple premise that what goes up must come down
7. Called behavioral ecology, it starts from the premise that social and environmental forces select for various behaviors that optimize people's fitness in a given environment. Different environment, different behaviors—and different human “natures.” —Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 29 June 2009
8. Although the Voting Rights Act served, in some measure, to formalize the notion of racial representation, its consequences undermined its premise—that a transparency of interests existed between the representative and the represented. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 24 Oct. 1994
9. Thirty years ago the modesty of the general expectation was still consistent with the original American premise of self-government. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, November 1992

Origin of PREMISE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PREMISE

Synonyms: given, hypothetical, if, postulate, assumption (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, supposition

Related Words: hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis; axiom, truism, verity; belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law; precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet; basis, foundation, ground; conclusion, deduction, inference; affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration; dictum, ipse dixit

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Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism