| 释义 |
promisen. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French promese; Latin prōmissum. Etymology: Partly < Anglo-Norman promese, promis, promisse, Anglo-Norman and Middle French promesse (French promesse ) action of promising something, thing promised (c1150 in Old French; 1607 in modern French in figurative use in sense 4a; < post-classical Latin promissa assurance (5th cent.), alteration (probably arising from reinterpretation of the neuter plural as feminine singular) of classical Latin prōmissum ), and partly < classical Latin prōmissum assurance, thing promised, prediction guaranteed as certain, assertion guaranteed as true, in post-classical Latin also assurance made by God, thing promised by God (Vetus Latina, Vulgate), use as noun of neuter past participle of prōmittere promit v. Compare Old Occitan promessa (a1149), Spanish promesa (c1200 as promessa), Portuguese promessa (13th cent.), Italian promessa (13th cent.).There is some evidence from the first half of the 19th cent. for a pronunciation with voiced final consonant (as there is also for promise v.); compare also the 16th-cent. form promiz . With land of promise n. at sense 3b compare earlier land of promission at promission n. and later promised land n. the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > [noun] > the thing promised c1422 T. Hoccleve Tale of Jerelaus (Durh.) l. 541 in (1970) i. 159 Of my promesse thanne dokke me. 1526 1 John ii. 25 This is the promes that he hath promysed vs, even eternall lyfe. 1597 W. Shakespeare iii. i. 194 Ile claime that promise at your Graces hands. View more context for this quotation 1646 H. Lawrence 168 They hope to attaine the promise of God, that is, the thing promised. 1736 T. Sheridan in J. Swift (1814) XIX. 16 Poor old Mr. Price cannot hold out a fortnight; and his son claims your promise of getting him something from the Concordatum. 1791 E. Inchbald IV. iii. 34 ‘You promised to hear me, my Lord;’ cried Rushbrook, ‘and I claim your promise.’ 1816 C. Lamb II. xvii. 169 Then..I claim your promise for tomorrow night, punctually at nine. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in 25 He stood once more before her face, Claiming her promise. 1909 E. Lawless 6 Should some gracious power deign To make me the recipient of like gift, And claim the promise. 2. the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > [noun] β. 1423–4 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 182 (MED) He made promys to be good Frende to hem. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 24 (MED) No straungere cometh before him, but þat he maketh him sum promys & graunt. c1450 (1904) I. 45 (MED) His maister..prayed hym to be myndefull of his promys. a1500 (?c1450) 666 (MED) The fissher hadde broken his promys. 1548 f. ccxxv Geuyng them faire wordes, and makyng large promises. ?1556 (a1500) (Copland) sig. B.iiv His promysse he wil not breke. 1613 S. Purchas 631 Which Boferes after with like perfidiousnes, and breach of promise, requited on three thousand Marochians. 1645 J. Winthrop 2 The English had many strong & concurrent Indian testimonies..of Miantonimo's ambitious designes, travailing through all the plantations of the neighbouring Indians, and by promises & gifts labouring to make himselfe their universall Sagamore or Governour. a1680 Earl of Rochester in (1707) 135 Here lives a Great and Mighty Monarch Whose Promise none relies on, Who never said a foolish Thing Nor ever did a wise one. 1738 J. Swift 22 Promises and Pye-Crusts, they say, are made to be broken. 1785 W. Paley iii. i. v Promises are not binding, where the performance is unlawful. 1838 W. Bell (at cited word) Promise and Offer... An offerer is not bound until his offer is accepted. A promiser is bound as soon as the promise reaches the party to whom it is made. 1858 H. J. Stephen (ed. 4) II. 54 There is in strictness a distinction between a promise..and a contract; for..the latter involves the idea of mutuality, which the former does not. 1877 J. A. Froude (1883) IV. i. v. 52 Becket had broken his promise to submit to the Constitutions. 1934 D. Hammett xxviii. 226 I can hold you for a while or I can let you go in exchange for a promise that you'll let me know as soon as your father gets in touch with you. 1955 D. Eden xi. 101 She could only pray that the blackmailer had some sort of honour, and would now keep his promise to trouble her no more. 2004 20 Aug. 24/1 Joan Wigg and her suitor John Newman from Royston in Hertfordshire appeared in court in the diocese of Ely in the 1530s, when Newman claimed that she had reneged on her promise to marry him. 1960 ‘S. Woodfield’ xi. 121 Cedric and the seadog scuttled after her as if they were on a promise and mustn't lose the quarry. 1971 F. Hardy 3 If you were to believe Florrie, I'm on a promise at every second house. 1998 (Nexis) 22 Oct. 18 Men tend to wait until they know they are ‘on a promise’ but women go armed with contraceptives before they hit the town. 2001 (Nexis) 6 Feb. 20 I'm on a promise, by the way. His parting words: ‘I'll bring you back a bottle of the best Pitcairn Island chardonay.’ 3. society > faith > worship > vow > covenant > [noun] ?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena (Harl.) (1966) 192 (MED) A maner gladnesse sche hadde aȝeinward of a maner hope of þe promys which God schewide to hir. c1470 tr. (Cleveland) (1977) 50 (MED) Almighti God remembrid the promisis that he promisid to Abraham. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis (Pynson) iii. xviii. 211 The promes of god. 1526 Heb. vi. 12 Them, which thorow fayth and pacience inheret the promyses. 1567 (1897) 3 The threitning of God maid to them that brekis his commandementis, and his promeis made to them that keipis them. 1659 T. Allen (title) A chain of Scripture chronology..in VII periods, viz., from the Creation to the Flood, the Flood to the Promise, the Promise to the Law, the Law to the Temple, the Temple to the Captivity.., the Captivity to the Return, the Return to the Death of Christ. 1707 I. Watts ii. 142 Sing the sweet Promise of his Grace, And the performing God. 1785 W. Cowper v. 548 That charter sanction'd sure By th' unimpeachable and awful oath And promise of a God! 1819 W. Scott III. ii. 57 ‘So help me the promise,’..said Isaac,..‘as no such sounds ever crossed my lips!’ 1865 R. W. Dale xxi. 237 Aye, and we may take the promises of God in their fullest and broadest meaning. 1946 P. S. Minear iii. 57 The observations concerning the interdependence of man's obedience and God's promise..raises the ageold problem of the precise relation between God's part and man's in every event. 1989 H. Kushner ii. 44 God's promise is not that He will keep us from stumbling, but that His hand will be there to help us get up again. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [noun] > promised land 1535 Heb. xi. B By faith was he a straunger in the londe of promes [Wycliffite the loond of biheest]. 1596 H. Clapham i. 63 Moses..mounteth the Mount Nebo: from whence overpeering Iordan, he beholdeth the land of Promise. 1621 R. Montagu 387 The Leuiticality..of Tithing, being confined vnto place, the Land of Promise. 1662 E. Stillingfleet ii. v. §8 Not..meerly a Covenant for the Land of Promise. 1743 M. Marley xxiii. 602 The whole Duty of a Christian Pastor aims at this End, viz. to guide his Flock to the Land of Promise. 1764 T. Hartley ii. 229 For as much as the promise here given is not fulfilled in this life,..it must refer to that good land of promise, wherein the Saints shall possess the kingdom. 1851 W. H. Dixon iv. 144 To all these exiled sects America was the land of promise. 1859 J. H. Ingraham ii. xi. 570 Their land of heaven [is] our land of promise also. 1888 F. Hume i. Prol. 15 ‘So,’ he said rapidly in French, ‘we are in the land of promise.’ 1927 M. Terry (title) Through a Land of Promise. 1935 H. A. L. Fisher xxxi. 368 The Almohades (Unitarians) of the Atlas mountains were even fiercer and more intolerant than the Berber tribes of the desert who had preceded them into the land of promise. 1992 16 July 14/2 The ‘American Dream’ of a land of promise where..there is ‘a greater obligation’ than in other nations ‘to achieve amity and equity in relations between the races’. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > rainbow > [noun] 1820 J. A. Heraud ii. xxxiii. 90 The Bow of Promise is the Zone of Love! 1850 ‘S. Yendys’ viii. 141 Thoughts that shining through To-morrow's tears shall set in our worst cloud The bow of promise. c1880 J. J. McCloskey i. i. 10 Oh! Ambrose, is this the bow of promise that shone so brightly in our heaven? 1924 W. C. Abbott II. xxxiv. 309 The eloquence [of William Pitt]..painted a glittering bow of promise across the stormy sky. 1996 (Nexis) 26 Aug. 17 Even in the middle of clouds of trouble, right there, if we'll look for it, can always be found a ‘bow of promise’. 4. figurative. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [noun] > preview, foretaste the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [noun] the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > an omen, sign, portent > [noun] > a good omen the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > seem likely to succeed ?1533 G. Du Wes sig. Ei A gyrle..full of swete promyse. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. i. 14 A yong Florentine..He hath borne himselfe beyond the promise of his age. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iv, in tr. Virgil 18 Fragrant Herbs (the promises of Spring). 1721 J. Mottley iv. i. 38 The brave Friend, and Partner of his Fame, Sinks to his Grave with Maladies unknown, And leaves the Promise of a glorious Life, So well begun, i'th'Midway-Course expir'd. a1771 T. Gray Ess. I in W. Mason (1775) 194 The blooming promise of the year. 1828 T. B. Macaulay Hallam's Constit. Hist. in Sept. 97 A historical novel, of high merit and of still higher promise. 1832 H. Martineau i. 16 Remarking on the fine promise of fruit. 1886 E. G. White 281/2 They should be ready to counsel and instruct those who have newly come to the faith, and who give promise of possessing ability to work for the Master. 1916 13 Feb. 10 a/5 The pilgrimage of nobles of the Shrine and their ladies to Buffalo..gives promise of being the greatest in the history of Shrinedom. 1959 F. Astaire (1960) iii. 22 He told us we showed promise and just needed to keep working and practising to become smoother and more professional. 1992 Jan. 86/3 The last decade of the 20th century is a time of great promise, great risk and great complexity. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > [noun] > instance of a1625 J. Fletcher Noble Gentleman iv. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Ff/2 I have a constant promise: she is my own. Compounds General attributive, instrumental, and objective. a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. Fracastoro Maidens Blush in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas (1621) 840 You shall goe that are so promise-bound. 1813 W. Scott ii. xx. 84 As promise-bound, I bid the trump for tourney sound. 1954 1 Apr. 4/4 Possibly an erstwhile beloved is incurably ill, and he feels promise-bound to be true to the end. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in 25 Awed and promise-bounden she forbore. 1592 T. Nashe (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. Bv I am quite vndone through promise-breach. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 402 In double violation Of sacred Chastitie, and of promise-breach . View more context for this quotation 1822 S. T. Coleridge (1971) V. 196 A chain of strange almost Idiocies, Neglects, Provocations, and Promise-breach. 1938 29 June 1/4 (headline) Miss Hollywood drops promise breach suit. 1548 f. cxxxiijv He, whiche is a promise breaker, escapeth not alwaie free. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ix. 2 I do hate thee Worse then a Promise-breaker . View more context for this quotation 1764 D. Garrick 1 June (1963) I. 414 Every Promise breaker should be hang'd. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 11 If..he had also turned dissembler and promise-breaker. 1997 17 Oct. a6/5 I want to be known as a Promise Keeper, not a promise breaker. ?1567 (new ed.) 225 As for the aucthoritee of sainct Augustine de bono viduitatis, where he proueth the mariages good, euen of votaries, though their promise breaking be condempned. 1616 D. Leigh xxxii. 145 It is worse then a promise breaking for it sheweth that they are full of hyprocrisie, dissemblers, and would serue the world. 1740 142 Leathin and Francis did..confess and bewail their..youthful Lusts of Uncleanness, and Promise-breaking to God of many Duties which they had bound themselves unto. 1800 C. Lamb Let. 13 Dec. in (1975) I. 251 The Play..is about promise-breaking. 1819 L. Hunt in 22 Aug. 535/1 The promise-breaking Prussian Government. 1842 C. Dickens 22 Mar. (1974) III. 146 You..have set me down, I know, as a neglectful, erratic, promise-breaking, and most unworthy person. 1999 (Nexis) 8 Oct. 18 The humbug and cynicism, the promise-breaking and lying he spent so much of his speech exposing. 1604 W. Shakespeare iii. ii. 91 I eate the ayre, Promiscram'd, you cannot feede Capons so. View more context for this quotation 1844 W. G. Clark 304 The enterprise of the Gallic snip was awakened; and, ‘promise-crammed,’ he said ‘You shall ax me tree dollar’. 1983 5 Apr. 13/1 A promise-crammed college boy with too many aunts. 1873 R. Jamieson I. 429/2 In Hebrew, the self-existing and promise-fulfilling, unchangeable One. 1961 B. Morris p. xiv On such an assumption we would certainly need to doubt..those time-honored theories which make of truth-telling or promise-fulfilling and such-like acts the prototype of moral conduct. 1999 21 Aug. a5/4 The work now being done to bring water to the long thirsting residents in these parts, is a promise-fulfilling response by the incumbent Minister of Water. 1555 H. Braham sig. Eiiiv Now touching the seconde and pryncypall poynte in a Gentleman a soldier or man of warre, it is promes kepyng. 1612 Capt. J. Smith xi. 90 This honest, proper, good, promis-keeping king, of all the rest did ever best affect vs. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 73 He was euer precise in promise keeping . View more context for this quotation 1772 J. W. Fletcher x. 160 A merciful, gracious, promise-keeping God. 1821 L. Hunt in 11 Mar. 146/1 Faith (not promise-keeping, but religious faith) was to have ‘kings for its nursing fathers’. 1884 A. De Vere III. ii. ix. 54 At dawn with feast and military honours, We'll thank the just and promise-keeping gods Who have led us thus far forth on victory's way. 2000 16 28 Respect for acknowledged property rights seems to require a convention of mutual restraint that is followed by everyone in a society, whereas promise-keeping requires only that the promiser and the promisee are parties to the same convention. 1577 H. Bull tr. M. Luther (new ed.) 213 He taketh God here as a promise maker, and sheweth that Christ was promised of the father to be a sacrifice for the sinnes of the world. a1639 W. Whately (1640) ii. xxvi. 48 A thankfull receiving of Gods promises..proveth faith to the promise-maker. 1860 F. D. Huntington 426 Even so far back as the Patriarchal period our Lord began to reveal himself as a Promise-maker and a Promise-keeper,—a God of covenants. 1929 11 Mar. 9/4 I could not really attempt to compete..with the greatest promise-maker, and some people would say the greatest promise-breaker, in this country to-day. 2005 J. H. Grainger 6 As covenanted promise-maker Blair bases the success of his enterprise upon public trust in his moral character. 1442 in J. Raine (1841) 138 (MED) I..never knewe of na swilke promysse makyng. 1555 E. Bonner f. 55 In the promise making he affirmeth, that the fleshe, whith he woulde geue vs to fede on, should be the selfe same fleshe, yt shold be geuen for the lyfe of the world. 1689 131 Of Promise-making-Kings the best, Till over-ridden by the Priest. 1798 J. Baillie De Monfort iii. ii, in I. 364 And yet my bus'ness I will not unfold To this mild, ready, promise-making courtier; I've been by such too oft deceiv'd already. 1935 6 Nov. 12/1 Among the less discreet or the less scrupulous there will develop..a certain recklessness in promise-making. 2002 A. Verhey v. xvii. 363 The Yahwist..told the stories that the people might learn to count their blessings and to count them as the blessings of this promise-making God of Abraham of Sarah. 1760 J. Wesley (new ed.) 57 It is hard to speak of..these Promise-mongers, as they deserve. c1443 R. Pecock (1927) 66 (MED) He is trewe in promys performyng. 1657 F. Roberts ii. iii. iv. 793 Now they shall experimentally know that I am IEHOVAH, A Promise-performing God indeed. 1796 4 332 He is a covenant-keeping and promise-performing God, of eternal veracity and faithfulness. 1962 H. Lockyer (1990) vii. 315/1 The saints in every age have found God to be a truth-telling and promise-performing God. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). promisev.Inflections: Past tense and past participle promised, (nonstandard) promissed, (nonstandard and archaic) promist; Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: promise n. Etymology: < promise n. Compare promit v. and the foreign-language forms cited at that entry.There is some evidence from the first half of the 19th cent. for a pronunciation with voiced final consonant (as there is also for promise n.); compare also the early modern form promize. 1. transitive. To make a promise of (something), to give verbal assurance of; to undertake or commit oneself to do or refrain from (a specified thing or act) or to give or bestow (a specified thing). Frequently with indirect object or with to and a noun phrase, indicating the person to whom the promise is made. Usually to the benefit or advantage of the person concerned.the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] 1430 in M. Sellers (1918) 34 (MED) Lillyng hath promeceed to me..to pay me the remenaunt. 1467 in (1841) 558 (MED) He [sc. the parker] hathe promessed me to make it [sc. a whelp] as wel as he kane fore me. a1500 (Harl. 149) (1974) 99 (MED) Thys lyght cometh from hym that promysed to sende vs the euyrlastynge lyght. 1548 f. ccxxviii The Constable had promised to the kyng and the duke, to render vp to them the towne of sainct Quintynes. 1589 R. Grenville in R. Hakluyt iii. 734 The 3. day of Iune, the Gouernor of Isabella, and Captaine of the Port de Plata..he thereupon sent gentle commendations to our Generall, promising within few daies to come to him in person. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 72 He promis'd to meete me two howres since. View more context for this quotation 1676 G. Etherege i. i. 10 Not without he will promise to be bloody drunk. 1737 A. Pope ii. i. 11 When..we..promise our best Friends to ryme no more. 1798 W. Hutton 43 The attorney promised to reimburse the expense, the contenders being poor. 1847 W. M. Thackeray (1848) xli. 376 The Baronet promised to take charge of the lad at school. 1875 K. E. Digby vi. 253 A bargain and sale was where the legal owner entered into an agreement with a purchaser for the sale to him of his interest, and the purchaser paid, or promised to pay, the money for the land. 1909 G. Stein 189 Once she went away when she had promised to be there to meet him. 1961 I. Murdoch i. 14 I had in fact very rashly promised to take her with me on a business trip. 1997 J. Hawes (1998) xx. 242 I had promised Sarah to take 1000mg of VitC+Zinc every night if I went drinking. c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 91 Sche [sc. Fortune] promissith to many prosperite ynough. 1444 in J. Stuart (1844) I. 11 God forbid that yhe suld, for a litil monee that thir Inglismen has promissit yhou, warpiss your gude name. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 459 (MED) The men of his howseholde inquirenge why he promysed moo ȝiftes then he myȝhte ȝiffe, he seide, [etc.]. 1508 J. Fisher sig. cc.i He promiseth dampnaconn to them that refuseth penaunce to them that dooth it forgyuenes. 1549 (STC 16267) Confirmacion f. ix*v They did promise and vowe three thinges in my name. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 234 I was promis'd them against the Feast. View more context for this quotation 1636 N. Hawkins Let. 28 June in J. P. Baxter (1884) III. 95 £3 you promised me for my Charge in Bringinge ouer the shippe. 1696 S. Sewall 12 Oct. (1973) I. 357 Lt Govr...promis'd his Interposition for them as become such an Alumnus to such an Alma Mater. 1736 Bp. J. Butler i. iii. 64 The wonderful Prosperity promised to the Jewish Nation in the Scripture. 1780 D. Brodhead in J. Sparks (1853) II. 449 The remaining Continentals are the cullings of our troops, and I cannot promise anything clever from them. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in I. 120 She would not promise, what..she could not perform. 1872 E. A. Freeman xvi. §5. 335 All the princes promised free constitutions to their people. 1926 D. H. Lawrence xx. 336 It seems the Knights of Cortes had promised a big reward for the man who would bring in my scalp. 1988 ‘R. Deacon’ 59 Tai Li promised the utmost cooperation in launching a secret war on espionage. 2001 30 Oct. 59/1 A cruel blow to parents who had promised Junior one of the first units. a1464 J. Capgrave (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 68 Þe deuel appered..in þe liknes of Moises, promising to þe Jewis þat he schuld lede hem ouyr þe se to Jerusalem with drye feet. c1475 tr. C. de Pisan (Cambr.) (1977) 136 (MED) Gayus Marcus..promysed theim that..he wolde rewarde theim. c1500 (?a1475) (1896) 482 (MED) Ye me promysyd That my myght of noon shuld haue be dyspysyd. 1584 A. Barlowe in R. Hakluyt (1589) iii. 732 These two haue oftentimes since persuaded vs to surprise Piemacum his Towne, hauing promised, and assured vs, that there will be founde in it great store of commodities. 1645 J. Winthrop 3 Miantonimo earnestly desired he might not be taken out of his hands, promising he would send him safe to Uncas to be examined and punished. 1690 J. Dryden Pref. sig. Ai I dare boldly promise for this Play, that in the roughness of the numbers..you will see somewhat more masterly..than in..any of my former Tragedies. 1726 J. Swift I. ii. viii. 162 I made him promise he would come to see me at my House. 1817 W. Scott I. i. 6 I dare not promise that I may not abuse the opportunity so temptingly offered me. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in 72 Him..she promised that no force, Persuasion, no, nor death could alter her. 1928 D. H. Lawrence xix. 350 She promised so faithfully she'd come back. 1958 J. Townsend xv. 143 ‘My bruvver will get you,’ he promised. 2001 N. H. Wilson i. 6 What homework did she have? She'd have to get it done, because she'd promised Dad that yoga class wouldn't interfere. the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] 1447 O. Bokenham (Arun.) (1938) 870 Now haf I acomplysyd..lych as I you promysyd In the prologe. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lxxxiv. 266 Desyre hym to render to you your londes as he promysyd. 1621 J. Fletcher iii. i I am no flatterer, To promise infinitely, and out-dream dangers. 1651 T. Hobbes ii. xx. 102 He that promiseth, hath no right in the thing promised. 1716 R. Wodrow (1843) II. 145 I cannot promise upon this so very soon, we having much public business. 1788 R. Burns in J. Johnson II. 153 Fickle Fortune..promis'd fair, and perform'd but ill. 1826 B. Disraeli I. i. vi. 39 Vivian..promised, protested, and finally sat down ‘to read’. 1869 Ld. Tennyson 15 There were those who knew him near the King And promised for him: and Arthur made him knight. 1929 D. Hammett ix. 92 I'll be hanging around Murry's. Mind you don't tip my mitt. You promised. 1977 J. Rosenthal Spend, Spend, Spend in (1987) 160 Every time I scrub her stinking house out, every week, she promises! 1995 K. Ishiguro xxxiv. 479 The point is I agreed, I promised, I didn't want to go back on it. 3. transitive and intransitive. colloquial. With subordinate clause as object or parenthetically within or after a statement: to convey assurance of some fact; to assert confidently or emphatically; to declare. Chiefly with indirect object in I promise you: ‘I assure you’, ‘I tell you plainly’. the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (transitive)] > a person the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > confidently 1469 J. Paston in (2004) I. 542 He losyth sore hys tyme her, I promyse yow. 1535 in T. Wright (1843) 74 The comyssioners, I promyse you, have been very necligent. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. ii. 43 I doe not like thy looke I promise thee. View more context for this quotation 1655 tr. C. Sorel xii. 37 The Nights, I promise you, are very cold. 1705 J. Addison 366 For I promise I long for it. 1749 H. Fielding VI. xviii. i. 169 I promise thee it is what I have desired. View more context for this quotation a1816 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (rev. ed.) v. ii, in (1821) II. 137 Sir Peter, you are come in good time, I promise you; for we had just given you over. 1841 F. E. Paget (1852) 466 I promise you I'm preciously tired already. 1893 R. L. Stevenson iii. 71 The certificate was wrote by Case, and it's a dandy piece of literature, I promise you. 1969 ‘C. Fremlin’ i. 9 I know his mother, and she's frightful! She really is, Clare, I promise you: she's ghastly! 1996 J. Updike 76 I promise you, there is nothing in your beliefs or unbeliefs that can't serve as the basis for an effective and deeply satisfying Christian ministry. the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)] a1500 (a1450) (Trin. Cambr.) 1603 (MED) He shall not spede, I yow promysse. a1538 T. Starkey (1989) 17 I promys you I schal never pretermyt occasyon..of helpyng my cuntrey. 1694 J. Crowne iii. 36 I promise you, I will not spare my self; I'll live in everlasting Grief and Shame. 1747 S. Richardson I. x. 55 I will be decent, I promise you. 1777 C. Dibdin i. i. 3 You won't get a lamb out of our fold, I promise you. 1825 C. Thirlwall tr. J. L. Tieck 80 Well, I promise you, you shall find I do not come again. 1870 J. G. Austin li. 133 I will finish it—I promise you. 1928 Z. N. Hurston Let. 15 Oct. in (2002) 129 You are going to have plenty of editing to do after this expedition is over, I promise you. 1955 S. J. Perelman in 23 Apr. 30/2 But remember, just one drink and off to your beddie-byes. Promise? 1986 16 July 31/1 I eventually gave in and let Flora wear my jacket... She'd look after it, promise. 1990 G. Naylor 102 And I promise you, that shot's not going to come off. 4. Now archaic. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > betroth [verb (transitive)] society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > engage oneself to marry [verb (intransitive)] > be betrothed 1548 f. lx The lady Mary..was promysed to kyng Charles. a1556 N. Udall (?1566) iii. ii. sig. D.iij Haue you he will (he sayth) and haue you he must. C. Custance. I am promised duryng my lyfe, that is iust. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 262 Her father..will not promise her to any man, Vntill the elder sister first be wed. View more context for this quotation 1738 J. Swift 35 If she ben't marry'd, at least she's lustily promis'd. 1857 C. M. Yonge xix. 316 For shame, Mr. Delaford; don't you know I am promised? 1895 ‘Rosemary’ 159 Little Nell was ‘promised’ to her cousin Sam. 1904 L. T. Meade ii. ix. 192 If anything could induce me to promise myself to a man..it would be to Cedric Vershoyle. 1907 S. Gwynn 119 Her and me's promised. 1967 C. Potok xii. 200 My father promised my sister to the son of one of his followers when she was two years old. 1991 J. Wolf ii. xiv. 276 She is still pining for the boy she was promised to at home. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 289 Cassi. Will you suppe with me to Night, Caska? Cask. No, I am promis'd forth. 1774 G. Colman ii. 26 The glass over my dressingroom chimney-piece is stuck round with cards, one upon another—I am promised the whole town over for these three months. 1849 W. M. Thackeray I. xxvii. 59 I will dance the next waltz with you, and the quadrille too. I am promised, but I will tell Mr. Poole that I had forgotten my engagement to you. 1957 J. Braine (1960) 40 I'd love to, but Jack and I are promised home for supper. 5. figurative. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > cause expectation the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prefiguration > prefigure [verb (transitive)] 1556 R. Tottel Epist. Dedic. (To Gentlemen Studious of Lawes of Englande) in sig. *iiv I must nedes think my certain trauail, aduentured expenses, & al wherein otherwise I may be able to pleasure you, to be wel employed for ye behoufe of such men, as your names promise of you, & as my opinion assureth me yt I shall finde you. 1589 R. Lane in R. Hakluyt iii. 742 For this riuer of Moratico promiseth great things, and by the opinion of M. Harriots the heade of it..either riseth from the bay of Mexico, or els from very neere vnto the same. 1594 sig. E2v My life forepassed in pleasures court, Promises weake resistance in the fight. 1617 F. Moryson i. 3 The houses promise more beauty outwardly then they haue inwardly. 1665 T. Herbert (new ed.) 125 Berry is a Village which promises much at a distance, but when there, deludes the expectation. 1723 D. Defoe (ed. 2) 4 He..promis'd to be stout when grown up. 1787 F. Burney 13 July (1842) III. 397 I found him [sc. Dr. Beattie] pleasant..with a round, thick, clunch figure, that promises nothing either of his works or his discourse. 1832 H. Martineau v. 56 A plan..which promised fair to supply the butcher with employment. 1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud i. xiv, in 8 I play'd with the girl when a child; she promised then to be fair. 1891 90 459/2 An atmosphere of public discussion which promises future storms. 1930 N. Coward i. 13 Victor. You know I feel rather scared of you at close quarters. Amanda. That promises to be very embarrassing. 1964 J. Rule ix. 232 This vast, empty, silent place promised autumn. 1992 E. Pearce iv. 38 There is a satisfying edge of real dislike between the candidates here, which promises great things. the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > seem likely to succeed the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > promise, encourage expectation [verb (intransitive)] the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > an omen, sign, portent > portend, betoken [verb (intransitive)] > good a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 142 Oft expectation failes, and most oft there Where most it promises . View more context for this quotation 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. 14 The weather promising fair. 1720 D. Defoe 43 We..were come to that Part where the Shore tending away to the North-West, promised fair to make our Passage over to the main Land of Africk. 1768 J. Byron 147 He promised the fairest for holding out, being a very strong, active young man. 1847 F. Marryat I. iv. 55 Humphrey, the second..promised well. 1887 G. Gissing I. ii. 29 It promises for another fine day to-morrow. 1911 A. W. Tilby I. 18 A rich traffic had promised with China and Japan. 1941 Ld. Alanbrooke Diary 21 Oct. in (2001) 193 The small Jefferis bomb also promises well. 1992 83 170/1 Technics..does not form an independent system, like the universe: it exists as an element in human culture and it promises well or ill as the social groups that exploit it promise well or ill. the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)] > with pleasure 1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo ii. f. 65 Your Philosophie perchaunce hath so mortified you, that you can promise [Fr. que vous pouuez prommetre] your selfe the constancie of that Philosopher whom a woman tooke for an image. 1617 F. Moryson i. 42 Nothing were more pleasant..then Sea-voyages, if a man might promise himselfe a good wind, and a reasonable gale. 1639 N. N. tr. J. Du Bosc i. 21 There are some who promise to themselves, never to discover their secrets. 1685 J. Dryden Pref. sig. (b)2v If it finds encouragement, I dare promise my self to mend my hand, by making a more pleasing Fable. 1711 J. Addison No. 58. ¶1 I dare promise my self. 1746 in (1851) V. 45 I promise myself that you will proceed to some less exceptionable Method. 1760 C. Johnstone I. ii. v. 167 I was going to visit a family this morning, where I promised myself the highest joy that a human heart is capable of feeling, in lightening the distress of the virtuous. 1832 H. Martineau iv. 53 She ran out, promising herself that she would be back in ten minutes. 1872 ‘M. Twain’ (rev. ed.) xii. 45/2 We..promised ourselves that we should call around some time.., and finish the game. 1927 H. T. Lowe-Porter tr. T. Mann (London ed.) II. vii. 789 This, my dear friend, is the technique, and I promise myself unheard-of results. 1999 June 114/2 I am briefly overcome in duty-free but promise myself I'll be back. After all, I have a whole lifetime to browse through the fragrance section. 1859 4 Oct. 8/4 The French Emperor seems inclined to consider himself as fairly exonerated from all obligation, as if he had promised Austria as a realm the moon, and Austria had accepted such a promise as value received. 1895 12 June 8/4 (advt.) Some consignment agents promise the earth to effect a sale. 1912 G. S. Fullerton xvii. 256 The philosopher who promises us the moon and the stars attracts our attention. 1930 19 Sept. 4/1 The man out of office with no record can promise the moon with a ring around it, and the man in office must take the blame. 1986 in P. Kelly (1994) xii. 236 He has a tried and true formula for entering office—wait for the economic downturn and promise the earth. 2002 5 May iv. 16/2 Scientists promise the moon and then fail to deliver. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  n.c1422v.1430 |
