- premise (n.)
- late 14c., in logic, "a previous proposition from which another follows," from O.Fr. premisse, from M.L. premissa (propositio) "(the proposition) set before," fem. pp. of L. prĉmittere "send or put before," from prĉ- "before" + mittere "to send" (see mission). In legal documents it meant "matter previously stated" (early 15c.), which in deeds or wills often was a house or building, hence extended meaning of "house or building, with grounds" (1730). The verb meaning "to state before something else" is from 1520s.