premiss

Noun

premise (plural premises)

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.c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
2. Any of the first propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is deduced.
   • While the premises stand firm, 'tis impossible to shake the conclusion.1667, attributed to Richard Allestree, The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety. […], London: […] R. Norton for T. Garthwait, […], →OCLC
3. (plural-normally) Matters previously stated or set forth; especially, 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. (plural-normally) A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts.
   • trespass on another’s premises
5. The fundamental concept that drives the plot of a film or other story.
   • In 1949, the simple premise of discovering ordinary people who have hidden, extraordinary talents came to prominence in the UK with Opportunity Knocks, which started out as a nationwide touring radio show, before moving onto TV in 1956.2021 September 15, Laura Martin, “How talent shows became TV's most bizarre programmes”, in BBC

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