Promise | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Prŏm'ise, n.

noun

(Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. promissum, Fr. promesse, Pr., Pg., & It. promessa, Sp. promesa. See infra.] 1. A declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do or forbear a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act. When the terms of promise admit of more senses than one, the promise is to be performed “in that sense in which the promisee apprehended at the time that the promise received it.” Paley.

(Law.) An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or non-performance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made. Chitty. Parsons. Burrill.
A binding declaration of something to be done or given for another’s benefit; as, the promise of a grant of land.
Ground or basis of hope; expectation, or that which affords expectation, of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise.

My native country was full of youthful promise. W. Irving. 5. Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised. He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. Acts i. 4.

Prŏm'ise, v. t.

verbtransitive

(Synop., § 130), v. t. [imp. & p. p. PROMISED (prŏm'ist); p. pr. & vb. n. PROMISING.] [Lat. promittere, promissum, to send or put forth, to promise, from pro, forward, forth, and mittere, to send; It. promettere, Pg. prometter, Sp. prometer, Pr. prometre, Fr. promettre.]

Sense 1. To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit to a friend; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money.

Sense 2. To afford reason to expect; to excite the hope or anticipation of; to assure; as, the clouds promise rain.

Sense 3. To make declaration or give assurance of, as of some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land.

Prŏm'ise, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To give assurance by a promise or binding declaration; as, the man promises fairly. 2. To afford hopes or expectations; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.

Will not the ladies be afraid of the lion? ... I fear it, I promise you. Shak.

To promise one's self, to be assured, or to have strong confidence.

I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced. Rambler.