n. (Logic), That premise of a syllogism that contains the major term (which is the predicate of the conclusion). Contrasted to minor premise. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } a. [ L. praemialis. See Premium. ] Serving to reward; rewarding. [ R. ] Baxter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ F. prémices, L. primitiae. See Primitia. ] First fruits. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. premier, fr. L. primarius of the first rank, principal, fr. primus the first. See Primary, Prime, a. ] 1. First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier minister. Camden. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Most ancient; -- said of the peer bearing the oldest title of his degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The first minister of state; the prime minister. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖a. fem. [ F., prop. fem. of premier first. See Premier, a. ] First; chief; as, a première danseuse. -- n. fem.; pl. -mières /plu>. (a) The leading woman of a group, esp. in a theatrical cast. (b) A first performance, as of a play; a first night. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. i. 1. to be performed for the first time; of a play, ballet, composition, movie, or other literary work.
Syn. -- premier. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. 1. to perform (a play, ballet, or composition) for the first time.
Syn. -- premier. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The office of the premier. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Previous to the millennium. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praemiosus, fr. praemium a premium. ] Rich in gifts. [ R. ] Clarke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Premises [ Written also, less properly, premiss. ] [ F. prémisse, fr. L. praemissus, p. p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to send. See Mission. ] 1. A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

The premises observed,
Thy will by my performance shall be served. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Logic) Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn. [ 1913 Webster ]

“All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner.” [ 1913 Webster ] These propositions, which are the premises, being true or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves punishment. [ 1913 Webster ]

While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. (Law) Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. pl. A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Premised p. pr. & vb. n. Premising. ] [ From L. praemissus, p. p., or E. premise, n. See Premise, n. ] 1. To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The premised flames of the last day. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

If venesection and a cathartic be premised. E. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings. [ 1913 Webster ]

I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Premise. Whately. I. Watts [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To premise. [ Obs. ] Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Premiums [ L. praemium, originally, what one has got before or better than others; prae before + emere to take, buy. See Redeem. ] 1. A reward or recompense; a prize to be won by being before another, or others, in a competition; reward or prize to be adjudged; a bounty; as, a premium for good behavior or scholarship, for discoveries, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

To think it not the necessity, but the premium and privilege of life, to eat and sleep without any regard to glory. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

The law that obliges parishes to support the poor offers a premium for the encouragement of idleness. Franklin. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something offered or given for the loan of money; bonus; -- sometimes synonymous with interest, but generally signifying a sum in addition to the capital. [ 1913 Webster ]

People were tempted to lend, by great premiums and large interest. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A sum of money paid to underwriters for insurance, or for undertaking to indemnify for losses of any kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A sum in advance of, or in addition to, the nominal or par value of anything; as, gold was at a premium; he sold his stock at a premium. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. LL. supremitas. ] Supremacy. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]