Webster's English Dictionary

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premise

1. prem.ise \'prem-*s\ n [In sense 1, fr. ME premisse, fr. MF, fr. ML 
   praemissa, fr. L, fem.] of praemissus, pp. of praemittere to place ahead, 
   fr. prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, fr. ME premisses, fr. ML 
   praemissa, fr. L, neut. pl. of praemissus - more at SMITE 1: a proposition 
   antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of argument or  inference; 
   specif : either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the 
   conclusion is drawn pl  2: matters previously stated; specif : the 
   preliminary and explanat ory part of a deed or of a bill in equity pl  3a: 
   a tract of land with the buildings thereon  3b: a building or part of a 
   building usu. with its grounds or other appurte nances
2. pre.mise \'prem-*s also pri-'mi-z\ vt 1a: to set forth beforehand as 
   introductory or as postulated  1b: to offer as a premise in an argument  2: 
   to presuppose or imply as preexistent : POSTULATE