premise has definitions from the field of logic
1
[ noun ] (logic) a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn

Synonyms

assumption premiss

Examples

"on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play"

Used in print

(R. F. Shaw, "The `Private Eye`"...)

The basic premise of all mystery_stories is that the distinction between good and bad coincides with the distinction between legal and illegal .

2
[ verb ] set forth beforehand, often as an explanation

Examples

: "He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand..."

Related terms

set_forth

3
[ verb ] furnish with a preface or introduction

Examples

"She always precedes her lectures with a joke" "He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution"

4
[ verb ] take something as preexisting

Synonyms

premiss

Related terms

presuppose

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