premises

Main Entry:: ¹prem·ise
Variant(s):: also pre·miss \ˈpre-məs\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: in sense 1, from Middle English premisse, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, feminine of praemissus, past participle of praemittere to place ahead, from prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, from Middle English premisses, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, neuter plural of praemissus
Date:: 14th century

1 a: a proposition antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of argument or inference; specifically : either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn b: something assumed or taken for granted : presupposition2plural : matters previously stated; specifically : the preliminary and explanatory part of a deed or of a bill in equity3plural [from its being identified in the premises of the deed] a: a tract of land with the buildings thereon b: a building or part of a building usually with its appurtenances (as grounds)

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