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premise

noun

/ˈprɛmɪs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of premise

A statement or assumption that forms the basis or foundation for an argument, theory, or line of reasoning.
"The entire debate fell apart when they discovered a flaw in the premise."

Detailed meaning of premise

It is a proposition or statement that is assumed to be true and serves as the starting point for further reasoning or arguments. In logic and critical thinking, a premise is a statement that is presented as evidence or reason to support a conclusion.

A premise can also be understood as a basic assumption or belief that is used to support an argument or theory. In literature and film, a premise refers to the basic idea or concept that forms the foundation of a story, and serves as the foundation of the plot, characters, and setting. It can also be used to define the main theme or subject matter of a work.

In general, a premise is an important element of any argument, theory, or work of fiction, and serves as the foundation on which the rest of the argument or story is built.

Example sentences containing premise

1. The premise of the story was built on a mysterious, ancient artifact.
2. His argument rested on a flawed premise that we had to challenge.
3. The premise of the experiment was to test the effects of temperature on plant growth.
4. We need to reevaluate the premise of our business model to stay competitive.
5. The movie's premise was so unique that it drew audiences from far and wide.
6. Before we proceed, let's clarify the premise of our research project.

History and etymology of premise

The noun 'premise' derives from the Latin word 'praemissus,' which is a combination of 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'mittere' meaning 'to send' or 'to put.' In its original Latin form, 'praemissus' referred to something sent or put before, often used in the context of introductory or foundational statements. As it evolved into English, 'premise' came to signify a statement or assumption that forms the basis or foundation for an argument, theory, or line of reasoning. This etymology highlights the concept of laying something out or sending it forward as the starting point for a logical or persuasive discourse, emphasizing the essential role of premises in constructing sound arguments and theories.

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Further usage examples of premise

1. The entire novel was based on the intriguing premise of time travel.
2. The premise of the restaurant was to offer a fusion of international cuisines.
3. The legal case hinged on the shaky premise of eyewitness testimony.
4. We must analyze the underlying premise of this philosophical argument.
5. The premise of the comedy show was to find humor in everyday life.
6. The success of the software depends on the accuracy of its initial premise.
7. The premise of the workshop was to explore creativity through improvisation.
8. We debated the ethical premise of the decision for hours.
9. The premise of the detective novel was a classic "whodunit" mystery.
10. The premise of the historical documentary was to uncover long-lost secrets.
11. He couldn't accept the premise that people could change for the better.
12. The premise of the game was to solve puzzles and escape from a locked room.
13. The premise of the seminar was to discuss the future of technology in education.
14. The premise of her argument was that education should be accessible to all.
15. The movie's intriguing premise captivated the audience from the start.
16. The success of the project depended on a solid premise.
17. His research was built upon a controversial premise.
18. The premise behind the new policy was to promote sustainability.
19. The detective questioned the premise of the witness's testimony.
20. The debate centered around the fundamental premise of freedom.
21. The business plan's premise was to disrupt the market with innovation.
22. Science often challenges existing premises to advance knowledge.
23. She accepted the job based on the premise of a supportive work environment.
24. Exploring the premise of the novel, we delved into its deeper themes.