premiss

8.4

A statement accepted as true that is used to reach a conclusion

noun
/ˈprɛmɪs/

Archaic

: premisa

In logic, a premiss is an assumption that supports a conclusion in an argument.

Examples

If either premiss is false, the entire syllogism collapses.
Can you clarify the premiss of your theory?
Before reaching a conclusion, she carefully considered each premiss of the logic puzzle.
The argument is valid only if the first premiss is actually true.
The main premiss of her argument was flawed.
The first premiss of the theory is that all humans are rational beings.
To reach a valid conclusion, you need to examine each premiss of the argument carefully.

Synonyms

assumption

vspremiss

513 3.5

A belief people accept as true without proof

is a formal starting statement explicitly forming the basis for conclusions

premise

vspremiss

365 5.9

An idea accepted as true that supports an argument

is the same meaning but appears as an alternative spelling

postulation

vspremiss

Specialized

1 9.3

An idea people accept without proof and use to build an argument

is a general starting statement used to draw conclusions in arguments

posit

vspremiss

Specialized

1 9.6

A statement assumed true to use in an argument

is used more generally as a starting statement for drawing conclusions

Compounds

major premiss

9.9

A statement in a logical argument that contains the conclusion's main term

minor premiss

9.9

A statement in a logical argument that names the subject of the conclusion

How Certain

axiom

30 7.5

premiss

Archaic

8.4

hypothesis

138 6.1

guess

768 1.0

Surface Forms

premiss singular

premisses plural

Etymology

The word premiss comes from Latin parts prae- meaning 'before' and mittere meaning 'to send'. It originally meant something 'sent before' the main idea, and you can see the same 'to send' root in the word mission. So, a premiss is a statement you accept first and then use to reach a conclusion.