premise
Meaning
A statement or idea that forms the basis for a theory, argument, or line of reasoning and is assumed to be true.
(plural) A house or building, together with its land and outbuildings, occupied by a business or considered in an official context.
To base an argument, theory, or undertaking on a particular initial statement or idea.
Structure
Usage
The entire argument rests on a flawed premise.
The company is moving to new business premises next month.
His theory is premised on the idea that all people are fundamentally good.
Etymology
The word "premise" originates from the Medieval Latin term praemissa (propositio), meaning "the proposition set before." This is the feminine past participle of praemittere, which combines prae- ("before") and mittere ("to send"). In classical logic, the premises were the statements "sent before" or "placed in front" as the foundational propositions leading to a conclusion. Over time, this logical sense broadened. By the late 14th century, it also came to denote physical property, likely from the idea of a house or building "set forth" in a legal document, such as a deed or lease, which listed the property at the beginning.
Analysis
- pre: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "before" in place, time, order, or importance. - mise: From the Latin root miss- (past participle stem of mittere), meaning "to send" or "to put."