premise
PREM-iss
/ˈprem.ɪs/
A previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.
The foundational assumption upon which an entire chain of logical reasoning depends.
The story behind the word. From Medieval Latin praemissa (short for praemissa propositio, 'proposition sent before'). It combined prae- ('before') and mittere ('to send'). An argument sends its premises out first before drawing its conclusion.
Word relationships
- postulate: A postulate is accepted as true without proof for the sake of reasoning, whereas a premise is any starting proposition.
- assumption: An assumption is often unstated, while a premise is explicitly stated to build an argument.
- conclusion: A conclusion is the final deduction derived from logical premises.
Commonly confused with
- premises: Premise (singular) is a logical assumption; premises (plural noun) can mean a physical building or property.
Word family
- premised (verb): Basing an argument on a foundational proposition.
Collocations
- false premise
- underlying premise
- basic premise
- accept the premise
Example sentences
- "If the initial premise of a syllogism is false, the conclusion will inevitably be unreliable." Philosophical Logic
- "The entire economic proposal is based on the false premise that consumer spending will double next quarter." Policy Analysis
Memory hook
PRE- (before) + MISE (sent) = sent out before the conclusion. The foundation sent before the conclusion.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'premises' meaning a physical building or property.
Fun facts
- The plural 'premises' came to mean 'property' because legal deeds listed mentioned land details as 'the premises' (the items set before).
Related words
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