promise
UK[ˈprɒmɪs]US[ˈprɑːmɪs]
n
a statement telling someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen
n
signs or reasons that show that someone or something will be successful or good in the future
v
to tell someone that you will definitely do or not do something, or that something will definitely happen
v
to show signs that something will happen or be successful
Morpheme Breakdown
pro
mise
pro
forward
mise
send
Etymology
the word 'promise' entered english in the late 14th century from the old french 'promesse', which itself derived from the latin 'promissum', meaning 'a promise, thing promised'. this latin term is the neuter past participle of 'promittere', meaning 'to send forth, foretell, promise'. 'promittere' is a compound of the prefix 'pro-' ('forward, forth') and the verb 'mittere' ('to send, let go'). the literal sense of 'sending something forward' evolved into the figurative meaning of 'putting forth one's word or assurance about a future action'. this semantic shift from a physical act of sending to a verbal commitment illustrates the abstraction of a concrete action into a social and legal guarantee.
Analysis
Structure: pro (forward) + mise (send)
pro- (prefix of Latin origin, meaning 'forward, forth, before'). mise (from Latin 'missus', the past participle of 'mittere', meaning 'to send').
Examples
she made a promise to her grandmother that she would visit more often.
the clear sky at dawn held the promise of a beautiful day.
the new drug promises to be a breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.