Definition of promise
- a. - In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one
person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to
forbear to do, 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 a specified act.
- a. - An engagement by one person to another, either in words or
in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or
nonperformance 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.
- a. - That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance;
especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a
youth of great promise.
- a. - Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
- v. t. - 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 promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment
of money.
- v. t. - To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance
of; as, the clouds promise rain.
- v. t. - To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some
benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the
proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward.
- v. i. - To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
- v. i. - To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to
expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.