Dictionary
prom•ise
Pronunciation: (prom'is), [key]
—n., v., -ised, -is•ing.
—
n.
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.
—
v.t.
1. to engage or undertake by promise (usually used with an infinitive or a clause as object):
She promised to go tomorrow.
2. to make a promise of (some specified act, gift, etc.):
to promise help.
3. to make a promise of something to (a specified person):
Promise me that you will come.
4. to afford ground for expecting:
The sky promised a storm.
5. to engage to join in marriage.
6. to assure (used in emphatic declarations):
I won't go there again, I promise you that!
—
v.i.
1. to afford ground for expectation (often fol. by
well or
fair):
His forthcoming novel promises well.
2. to make a promise.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
