premise premise /ˈprɛmɪs/

noun

1. () A statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn  ( premiss , premise , assumption )
   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
   on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not play
   

verb

1. Take something as preexisting and given  ( premise , premiss )
   take something as preexisting and given
   
2. Furnish with a preface or introduction  ( introduce , precede , premise , preface )
   furnish with a preface or introduction
    She always precedes her lectures with a joke
   She always precedes her lectures with a joke
    He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution
   He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution
   
3. Set forth beforehand, often as an explanation  ( premise )
   set forth beforehand, often as an explanation
    He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand
   He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand