Category:Premise

Prem"ise, n.; pl. Premises (. [written also, less properly, premiss.] Etym: [f. prémisse, 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)

Defn: 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)

Defn: 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.

Defn: a piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to Lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.

Premise Pre*mise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premised; p. pr. & vb. n. Premising.] Etym: [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.

Premise Pre*mise", v. i.

Defn: to make a premise; to set forth something as a premise. Swift.