premise

 

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈprɛmɪs/
  • (British also premiss) Logic a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion: if the premise is true, then the conclusion must be true
  • an assertion or proposition which forms the basis for a work or theory: the fundamental premise of the report

verb

Pronunciation: /prɪˈmʌɪz/
[with object] (premise something on/upon)
  • base an argument, theory, or undertaking on: the reforms were premised on our findings
  • state or presuppose (something) as a premise: [with clause]: one school of thought premised that the cosmos is indestructible
  • archaic state by way of introduction: I will premise generally that I hate lecturing

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French premisse, from medieval Latin praemissa (propositio) '(proposition) set in front', from Latin praemittere, from prae 'before' + mittere 'send'