Definition

1. Noun:

   • A statement or proposition that is assumed to be true and serves as the basis for an argument or conclusion. In logic, a premiss is a foundational statement from which reasoning proceeds.

2. Verb:

   • To set forth or assume something as a premise; to base an argument or theory on a particular assumption. This usage is less common and formal.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The argument's major premiss was that all humans are mortal.
  • If we accept your premiss, then your conclusion logically follows.

• Verb:

  • The theory is premised on the idea of universal human rights.
  • He premised his entire speech on a single historical anecdote.

Advanced Usage

• "To premise something on/upon something": To base a theory, argument, or action on a particular idea or fact.

  • Her legal strategy was premised upon a novel interpretation of the statute.

• "As a basic premiss": Used to introduce a fundamental assumption.

  • As a basic premiss, we must agree that energy cannot be created or destroyed.

Variants and Related Words

• Premise (n/v): The more common modern spelling of "premiss." Both words share identical meanings and usage.

  • The basic premise of the film is quite simple.

• Premised (adj): Describing something that is based on a particular assumption.

  • A carefully premised argument.

Synonyms

• Assumption: Something accepted as true without proof.
• Postulate: A thing suggested or assumed as true as the basis for reasoning.
• Presupposition: A thing tacitly assumed beforehand at the beginning of a line of argument.

Related Phrases

• "The premiss is flawed": Indicates that the foundational assumption of an argument is incorrect.

  • His conclusion was wrong because the premiss was flawed.

• "To grant a premiss": To accept an assumption for the sake of argument.

  • I'll grant your first premiss, but the second one is questionable.

Noun

1. a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
   • on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play

Verb

1. take something as preexisting and given