Prem"ise (?), n.; pl. Premises (). [Written also, less properly, premiss.] [F. pr'emisse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See Mission.]
1.
A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.
The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served.
Shak.
2. Logic
Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.
"All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner."
These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment.
While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion.
Dr. H. More.
3. pl. Law
Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., 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.
4. pl.
A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.
© Webster 1913.
Pre*mise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Premising.] [From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n.]
1.
To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously.
[Obs.]
The premised flames of the last day.
Shak.
If venesection and a cathartic be premised.
E. Darwin.
2.
To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings.
I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task.
Addison.
© Webster 1913.
Pre*mise" (?), v. i.
To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise.
Swift.
© Webster 1913.