prom·ise   
[prom-is]
noun, verb, -ised, -is·ing.
–noun
1.
a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc., by one: unkept political promises.
2.
an express assurance on which expectation is to be based: promises that an enemy will not win.
3.
something that has the effect of an express assurance; indication of what may be expected.
4.
indication of future excellence or achievement: a writer who shows promise.
5.
something that is promised.
–verb (used with object)
6.
to engage or undertake by promise (usually used with an infinitive or a clause as object): She promised to go tomorrow.
7.
to make a promise of (some specified act, gift, etc.): to promise help.
8.
to make a promise of something to (a specified person): Promise me that you will come.
9.
to afford ground for expecting: The sky promised a storm.
10.
to engage to join in marriage.
11.
to assure (used in emphatic declarations): I won't go there again, I promise you that!
–verb (used without object)
12.
to afford ground for expectation (often fol. by well or fair ): His forthcoming novel promises well.
13.
to make a promise.
Origin:
1375–1425; (n.) late ME promis ( se ) < ML prōmissa, for L prōmissum, n. use of neut. ptp. of prōmittere to promise, lit., to send forth, equiv. to prō- pro-1 + mittere to send; (v.) late ME promisen, deriv. of the n.
—Related forms
prom·is·a·ble, adjective
prom·ise·ful, adjective
prom·is·er, noun
outpromise, verb (used with object), -ised, -is·ing.
o·ver·prom·ise, verb (used with object), -ised, -is·ing.
pre·prom·ise, noun, verb (used with object), -ised, -is·ing.
quasi-promised, adjective
re·prom·ise, verb, -ised, -is·ing.
un·prom·ised, adjective
—Synonyms
2. word, pledge. 6. pledge, covenant, agree.
