premise
/prĕm′ĭs/
noun
- A proposition upon which an argument is based or from which a conclusion is drawn.
- One of the propositions in a deductive argument.
- Either the major or the minor proposition of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.
As per the title, I wanted to double-check if I correctly understood what "premise" means.
From what I've gathered, a "premise" is a statement or idea that you assume is correct (even if there's no solid proof) to base your argument on.
So I could say "He based his argument on the premise that all the calculations will be perfectly accurate", and that would mean the foundation of his argument is based on the calculations being correct.
Basically, premise = a statement you assume is correct, and you build your argument on. If the "premise" for an argument is false, then the argument falls.
I'd appreciate it if anyone could confirm my understanding!
Edit: sorry for the other 2 duplicate posts!! I assume it was some sort of bug on mobile.
Edit2: explanation for the duplicate posts bug
word usage - Meaning of "premise of something?" - English Language Learners Stack Exchange
meaning - "Premise" as a location - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
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Premise has subtly different meanings in philosophy (where you have a list of premises and a conclusion, for instance), and in everyday use, where you talk about the premise of a film or book. Actually one academic I know pronounces them differently - PREM-iss for the everyday use, and prem-IZE for the philosophy use.
The premise of a work is the underlying principle of it, the starting point, the thing that makes that book, film, play, or argument go.
The premise of a concept, like money, is a similar idea - what is the fundamental point and underlying assumption of the idea of money?
Premise definition:
an idea or theory on which a statement or action is based.
Exemples:
The conclusions you have drawn are based on a false premise.
We should work on the premise that this plan will be successful.
Could you explain the basic premise of your argument?
The research project is based on the premise stated earlier.
About your question:
- What's the premise of money?
The meaning is close to the following:
- What is the principle of money ?
I think you're right. If I'm understanding you, the uses you noticed were adjectival, for example, "the premise system started a major fire in the customer's clean room".
In a cursory search (online and the OED), I did not find a precedent for adjectival use of "premises" in the singular, much less use in the singular as a noun to describe a "location or building".
It is of course not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the computer industry has so callowly abused our fine English language.
The use of "premise" as a nominal adjective (particularly in the computer-related instances you are citing) is based on the need to differentiate between computer and resource locations which are external. While the actual use of the word may not be accurate in the modern understanding of "premise" (or as it is more normally used, "premises", as in relating to the premises of a deed), co-opting words for clarity is quite common in business parlance.
In short, if the computer industry is on board with the use of the phrase, it will quite shortly become linguistic law. Premise can and does refer to locations (albeit normally in plural form), and its use here is due to a lack of a ready alternative.
I have a general understanding, I think, as to the definition of the word premise. Is it essentially just another way of saying assumption? For instance, "Sunset is the best time to go for a walk." It's obviously a statement, but is it also a premise?