premise Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
premiss; assumption.
- on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play
verb set forth beforehand, often as an explanation
- He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand
verb furnish with a preface or introduction
introduce; precede; preface.
- She always precedes her lectures with a joke
- He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution
verb take something as preexisting and given
premiss.

F. prémisse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See Mission.

plural Premises

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.
(Logic) Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn. "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.
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.
pl. A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.

From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n.

imperfect & past participle Premised ; present participle & verbal noun Premising

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.
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.