Part 491

2. (Logic) Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.

"All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner."

These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment.

While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion.

Dr. H. More.

3. pl. (Law) Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted.

4. pl. A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.

Pre*mise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Premised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Premising.] [From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n.] 1. To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously. [Obs.]

The premised flames of the last day.

Shak.

If venesection and a cathartic be premised.

E. Darwin.

2. To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings.

I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task.

Addison.

Pre*mise" (?), v. i. To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise. Swift.

Prem"iss (?), n. Premise. Whately. I. Watts

Pre*mit" (?), v. t. To premise. [Obs.] Donne.

Pre"mi*um (?), n.; pl. Premiums (#). [L. praemium, originally, what one has got before or better than others; prae before + emere to take, buy. See Redeem.] 1. A reward or recompense; a prize to be won by being before another, or others, in a competition; reward or prize to be adjudged; a bounty; as, a premium for good behavior or scholarship, for discoveries, etc.

To think it not the necessity, but the premium and privilege of life, to eat and sleep without any regard to glory.

Burke.

The law that obliges parishes to support the poor offers a premium for the encouragement of idleness.

Franklin.

2. Something offered or given for the loan of money; bonus; -- sometimes synonymous with interest, but generally signifying a sum in addition to the capital.

People were tempted to lend, by great premiums and large interest.

Swift.

3. A sum of money paid to underwriters for insurance, or for undertaking to indemnify for losses of any kind.

4. A sum in advance of, or in addition to, the nominal or par value of anything; as, gold was at a premium; he sold his stock at a premium.