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promiser

promiser

1 5.7
A person who says they will do something
  • noun
  • /ˈprɒmɪzər/
translation icon : promitente
  • John Searle argued in a famous paper that Austin's account of "I promise" had in effect located the site of a long-sought philosophical transubstantiation: the movement from an "is" to an "ought." By simply saying something, the ordinary human promiser jumps that famous gap.

Examples

  • As a reliable promiser, she always delivers on her commitments.

  • I was the quintessential "over-promiser/under-deliverer" to myself and everyone else.

    Blog text (30)
  • Should an oath not be kept, a deity was encouraged in the oath's very formula to take vengeance upon the wayward promiser.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Instead, we become promisers, savoring will's obstruction, so that between the original 'I will, I shall do this,' and the actual discharge of the will, its act, a world of strange new things, circumstances, and even acts of the will may be interposed without breaking this long chain of will.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The promiser pledged to help his friend with the project next weekend.

  • The promiser reassured the team that they would finish the task on time.

Synonyms

bondsman
vspromiser
  • Specialized
16 8.9

A person who promises to pay money to free someone on bail

is a broader assurance that does not specifically involve bail or surety
guarantor
vspromiser
  • Formal
7 6.5

A person or company who promises to pay a debt if someone else cannot

is a plain assurance without a backup promise for failure
pledger
vspromiser
1 6.5

A person who promises to give money or support a cause

is a general assurance not limited to formal donations or support
promisor
vspromiser
  • Formal
8.9

A person who says they will do something, often legally bound by a contract

is a general assurance that does not stress legal obligation
vower
vspromiser
9.5

A person who makes a serious promise to act or live in a certain way

is a normal assurance without the solemn or ritual tone
warrantor
vspromiser
  • Formal
9.2

A person or company who promises that a product is good and will fix problems

is a general assurance without promising formal guarantees or remedies

Surface Forms

promiser singular
promisers plural

Morphology

promiser = promise (transparent) = promise + er

Standard agentive suffix '-er' added to the verb 'promise' to indicate a person who makes a promise.

Etymology

The word promiser comes from promise, which itself comes from Latin parts pro- ('forward') and mittere ('to send'), and the ending -er means 'one who'. So a promiser is someone who 'sends forward' their word, in other words a person who makes a promise or promises to do something.