See Also: Promise(finance)
promise(1)(dictionary)
promise(2)(dictionary)
Promise Keepers, the(dictionary)
promise 2, noun(dictionary)
MARRIAGE, PROMISE OF(law)
PROMISE, contr(law)

promise(2) (iou)



promise verb. LME.
[from the noun.]
verb trans. Make a promise to (a person), esp. to do, give, or procure a specified thing (freq. foll. by that, to do); make a promise to give (a specified thing) to a person; (with indirect obj.) make a promise to give a specified thing to (a person). LME.
I promise you colloq. I assure you, I tell you plainly. promised land (a) Theology the land of Canaan, as promised to Abraham and his descendants (in Genesis 12:7 etc.); (b) fig. a place of expected happiness, esp. heaven. promise oneself look confidently foward to providing oneself with (something welcome). John o' London's Her lover had promised to marry her.
E. A. Freeman The princes promised free constitutions to their people. S. J. Perelman Not if they promised me a bucket of free quahogs. Economist He promised that if elected he would serve out his term.
b. Engage to give in marriage to another; betroth. arch. M16.
Shakespeare Taming of Shrew Her father..will not promise her to any man.
c. In pass. Have an engagement. rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.
verb intrans. Make a promise. LME.
Tennyson Dora promised, being meek.
fig.
a. verb trans. Indicate the future occurrence or condition of; esp. give strong or reasonable grounds for expecting (future achievements or good results). L16.
K. Amis The sky promised hours of sunshine.
b. verb intrans. Appear likely to turn out in a specified way; encourage expectation. E17.
B. Mason Better-looking than he had promised as a boy.
promi'see noun (esp. Law) a person to whom a promise is made M18.
promiser noun LME.
promisor noun (esp. Law) a person who makes a promise M19.