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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Promise \Prom"ise\, a. [F. promesse, L. promissum, fr.
promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro
forward, for mittere to send. See {Mission}. ]
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1. 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.
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For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more
of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
--Gal. iii.
18.
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2. (Law) 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.
--Chitty. Parsons. Burrill.
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3. That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance;
especially, that which affords expectation of future
distinction; as, a youth of great promise. --Shak.
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My native country was full of youthful promise. --W.
Irving.
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4. Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
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He . . . commanded them that they should not depart
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father. --Acts i. 4.
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Promise \Prom"ise\, v. i.
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1. To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
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2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect
good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
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Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?
I fear it, I promise you. --Shak.
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Promise \Prom"ise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Promising}.]
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1. 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. "To promise
aid." --Shak.
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2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of;
as, the clouds promise rain. --Milton.
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3. 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.
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{Promised land}. See {Land of promise}, under {Land}.

{To promise one's self}.
(a) To resolve; to determine; to vow.
(b) To be assured; to have strong confidence.
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I dare promise myself you will attest the truth
of all I have advanced. --Rambler.
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