Premise Meaning
/ˈpɹɛm.ɪs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.
nounAny of the first propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is deduced.
Sentence Examples
You ought to think over whether the premise is valid or not.
I don't agree with the premise of your argument.
The basic premise of her argument
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist began her research from the ____ that the theory was correct.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The entire argument rested on the ____ that all humans are fundamentally rational beings.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English premise, premisse, from Old French premisse, from Medieval Latin premissa (“set before”) (premissa propositio (“the proposition set before”)), feminine past participle of Latin praemittere (“to send or put before”), from prae- (“before”) + mittere (“to send”). Sense 4, a piece of real estate arose from the misinterpretation of the word by property owners while reading title deeds where the word was used with the legal sense.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served."
— c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
"While the premises stand firm, 'tis impossible to shake the conclusion."
— 1667, attributed to Richard Allestree, The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety. […], London: […] R. Norton for T. Garthwait, […], →OCLC:
"On the premises is a beautiful lawn, well stocked with flowering shrubs; hard and soft water."
— 1899 September 27, The Daily Review (Peterborough, Ont., Canada), volume 37, number 72, page 1a:
"Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets."
— 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XIX, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
"In 1949, the simple premise of discovering ordinary people who have hidden, extraordinary talents came to prominence in the UK with Opportunity Knocks, which started out as a nationwide touring radio show, before moving onto TV in 1956."
— 2021 September 15, Laura Martin, “How talent shows became TV's most bizarre programmes”, in BBC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist began her research from the ____ that the theory was correct.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The entire argument rested on the ____ that all humans are fundamentally rational beings.