Originally and in Logic: a statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion; spec. (in plural) the two…

Logic. A statement upon which a consequence logically depends. Opposed to consequent. A premise in an argument.

A thing which precedes another. Logic. = antecedent, n. 2a. Obsolete.

spec. in Logic. Either of the premises of a syllogism; esp. the major premise (opposed to assumption, n. 12). Now rare.

In plural. Premises (see premise, n. 1). Obsolete. rare.

The making of a prefatory or introductory statement; the stating of something as a premise; (also) an instance of this, a stated premise.

A proposition or principle put forth or stated (without any reference to its correspondence with fact) merely as a basis for reasoning or argument…