premise

A supposition (or fact) upon which a logical argument or inference is based.

In an argument like:

         If this;
  and,   if that:
  then   we can conclude this other thing,

the "if" parts are the premises.

This page is part of the Hypertext Bible Commentary - Amos,

© Tim Bulkeley, 1996-2005, Tim Bulkeley. All rights reserved.