premise

CEFRC1

/ˈpɹɛm.ɪs/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    An idea or statement used as the basis for an argument.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    Any of the first propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is deduced.

Examples

  • I don't agree with the premise of your argument.

  • You ought to think over whether the premise is valid or not.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈpɹem.ɪs/
  • /prɪˈmajz/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Matters previously stated or set forth; especially, 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.

  2. A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.

  3. The fundamental concept that drives the plot of a film or other story.

More examples

In context

  • The basic premise of her argument

  • 1794–1796, Erasmus Darwin, Zoonomia if venesection can be previously performed, even to but few ounces, the effect of the opium is much more certain; and still more so, if there be time to premise a brisk cathartic, or even an emetic

  • trespass on another’s premises

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The scientist began her research from the blank that the theory was correct.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

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.