a statement or an idea that forms the basis for a reasonable line of argument 前提;假定 the basic premise of her argument 她的论证的基本前提 The argument rests on a false premise. 这个论点是以错误的前提为基础的。 His reasoning is based on the premise that all people are equally capable of good and evil. 他的推理是以人可以为善亦可以为恶为前提的。 The premise on which they worked was that there would always be enough natural resources to support them. 他们工作的前提是总有足够的自然资源来支持他们。
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French premisse, from medieval Latin praemissa (propositio) ‘(proposition) set in front’, from Latin praemittere, from prae ‘before’ + mittere ‘send’.