The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
PREMISE
premise, premiss, assumption
(noun) 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 play”
premise, premiss
(verb) take something as preexisting and given
precede, preface, premise, introduce
(verb) furnish with a preface or introduction; “She always precedes her lectures with a joke”; “He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution”
premise
(verb) set forth beforehand, often as an explanation; “He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
premise (plural premises)
A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.
(logic) Any of the first propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is deduced.
(usually, in the plural, legal) 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.
(usually, in the plural) A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts.
(authorship) The fundamental concept that drives the plot of a film or other story.
Coordinate terms
• conclusion
Verb
premise (third-person singular simple present premises, present participle premising, simple past and past participle premised)
To state or assume something as a proposition to an argument.
To make a premise.
To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows.
To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously.
Anagrams
• empires, emprise, epimers, imprese, permies, premies, spireme
Source: Wiktionary
Prem"ise, n.; pl. Premises (. [Written also, less properly, premiss.] Etym: [F. prémisse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See Mission.]
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. Shak.
2. (Logic)
Definition: Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.
Note: "All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner." These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment. While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion. Dr. H. More.
3. pl. (Law)
Definition: Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., 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. pl.
Definition: A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.
Pre*mise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premised; p. pr. & vb. n. Premising.] Etym: [From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n.]
1. To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously. [Obs.] The premised flames of the last day. Shak. If venesection and a cathartic be premised. E. Darwin.
2. To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings. I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task. Addison.
Pre*mise", v. i.
Definition: To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise. Swift.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
22 April 2025
BRIGHT
(adjective) made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow; “bright silver candlesticks”; “a burnished brass knocker”; “she brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves”; “rows of shining glasses”; “shiny black patents”
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