- Promise
- Promise Prom"ise, a. [F. promesse, L. promissum, fr.
promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro
forward, for + mittere to send. See {Mission}. ]
[1913 Webster]
1. In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one
person to another, which binds the person who makes it to
do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration
which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to
expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a
specified act.
[1913 Webster]
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. --Gal. iii. 18. [1913 Webster]
2. (Law) An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made. --Chitty. Parsons. Burrill. [1913 Webster]
3. That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
My native country was full of youthful promise. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]
4. Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised. [1913 Webster]
He . . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. --Acts i. 4. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.