Definition of: promise

(prom′is) noun
1. An assurance given by one person to another that the former will or will not do a specified act.
2. Reasonable ground for hope or expectation, especially of future excellence or satisfaction: a youth of great promise.
3. Something promised; the fulfilment or obtainment of that which is promised. See synonyms under CONTRACT.
—v. ·ised, ·is·ing v.t.
1. To engage or pledge by a promise: used with the infinitive or a clause: He promised that he would do it.
2. To make a promise of (something) to someone.
3. To give reason for expecting: The sky promised rain.
4. Colloq. To assure (someone).
—v.i
5. To make a promise.
6. To give reason for expectation: often with well or fair. [<F promesse <L promissum, pp. of promittere send forward <pro- forth + mittere send]
—prom′is·er noun