noun

1. an oral or written agreement to do or not to do something; vow
2. indication, as of a successful prospect or future; basis for expectation
3. something promised

Etymology: ME promis < L promissum < promittere, to send before or forward < pro-, forth + mittere, to send: see pro- & mission

intransitive verb promised -·ised, promising -·is·ing

1. to make a promise
2. to give a basis for expectation: often with well or fair

transitive verb

1. to make a promise of (something) to somebody
2. to engage or pledge: followed by an infinitive or a clause to promise to go
3. to give a basis for expecting
4. Informal to declare emphatically; assure
5. Archaic to pledge to give in marriage