{ } n. [ L. prominentia: cf. F. prominence. See Prominent. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being prominent; a standing out from something; conspicuousness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is prominent; a protuberance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Solar prominences. (Astron.) See Solar Protuberances, under Protuberance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. prominens, -entis, p. pr. of prominere to jut out, to project; pro before, forward + minere (in comp.) to jut, project: cf. F. prominent. See Imminent, Eminent. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Standing out, or projecting, beyond the line surface of something; jutting; protuberant; in high relief; as, a prominent figure on a vase. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence; Distinctly manifest; likely to attract attention from its size or position; conspicuous; as, a prominent feature of the face; a prominent building. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Eminent; distinguished above others; as, a prominent character. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prominent' moth (Zool.), any moth of the family Notodontidæ; a notodontian; -- so called because the larva has a hump or prominence on its back. Several of the species are injurious to fruit trees. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prominent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Promiscuousness; confusion. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. promiscuus; pro before, in place of, for + miscere to mix. See Mix. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Consisting of individuals united in a body or mass without order; mingled; confused; undistinguished; as, a promiscuous crowd or mass. [ 1913 Webster ]

A wild, where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Distributed or applied without order or discrimination; not restricted to an individual; common; indiscriminate; as, promiscuous love or intercourse. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a promiscuous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being promiscuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil. [ 1913 Webster ]

Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?
I fear it, I promise you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. promesse, L. promissum, fr. promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro forward, for + mittere to send. See Mission. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

My native country was full of youthful promise. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised. [ 1913 Webster ]

He . . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. Acts i. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Promised p. pr. & vb. n. Promising. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]