n. 1 assurance tha one will or will not undertake a certai action etc. (promise of help). 2 sign o future achievements, good results, etc (writer of great promise). v. (sing) (usu. foll. by to + infin., or that clause; also absol.) make a promis (promise not to be late). 2 (often foil. b to + infin.) seem likely (to) (promises t. be a good book). 3 colloq. assure ( promise you, it will not be easy). promise well (or ill etc.) hold out goo (or bad etc.) prospects. [Latin prom’sum from mitto miss send]
