v. t. [ Pref. ad- + promt. ] To quicken; to prompt. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To appromt our invention. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a drug derived from phenothiazine and used as a sedative and tranquilizer. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. compromis, fr. L. compromissum a mutual promise to abide by the decision of an arbiter, fr. compromittere to make such a promise; com- + promittere to promise. See Promise. ] 1. A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators. [ Obs. ] Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by concession on both sides; a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights, resulting in an agreement. [ 1913 Webster ]

But basely yielded upon compromise
That which his noble ancestors achieved with blows. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

An abhorrence of concession and compromise is a never failing characteristic of religious factions. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character or right. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was determined not to accept any fine speeches, to the compromise of that sex the belonging to which was, after all, my strongest claim and title to them. Lamb. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Compromised p. pr. & vb. n. Compromising. ] [ From Compromise, n.; cf. Compromit. ] 1. To bind by mutual agreement; to agree. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Laban and himself were compromised
That all the eanlings which were streaked and pied
Should fall as Jacob's hire. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound. [ 1913 Webster ]

The controversy may easily be compromised. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To pledge by some act or declaration; to endanger the life, reputation, etc., of, by some act which can not be recalled; to expose to suspicion. [ 1913 Webster ]

To pardon all who had been compromised in the late disturbances. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To agree; to accord. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make concession for conciliation and peace. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who compromises. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to compromise. [ R. ] Chalmers. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Compromitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Compromitting. ] [ L. compromittere. See Compromise, n. ] 1. To pledge by some act or declaration; to promise. State Trials (1529). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put to hazard, by some indiscretion; to endanger; to compromise; as, to compromit the honor or the safety of a nation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Promised beforehand; preëngaged. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not ready. [ R. ] Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. or a. [ F. impromptu, fr. L. in promptu in readiness, at hand; in in + promptus visibility, readiness, from promptus visible, ready. See Prompt. ] Offhand; without previous study; extemporaneous; extempore; as, an impromptu verse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Something made or done offhand, at the moment, or without previous study; an extemporaneous composition, address, or remark. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) A piece composed or played at first thought; a composition in the style of an extempore piece. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Too prompt; too ready or eager; precipitate. -- O`ver*prompt"ness, n. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Pref. pro- + L. manatio a flowing, fr. manare to flow. ] The act of flowing forth; emanation; efflux. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. (with a foreign suffix), from promener to lead, take for a walk, se promener to walk, from L. prominare to drive forward or along; pro forward + minare to drive animals. See Amenable, Menace. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A walk for pleasure, display, or exercise. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A place for walking; a public walk. Bp. Montagu. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Promenaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Promenading. ] To walk for pleasure, display, or exercise. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who promenades. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. promeritus, p. p. of promerere to deserve; pro before + merere to merit. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To oblige; to confer a favor on. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To deserve; to procure by merit. [ Obs. ] Davenant. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; before + &unr_; bee-eater. ] (Zool.) Any one of several species of very brilliant birds belonging to Promerops, Epimarchus, and allied genera, closely related to the paradise birds, and mostly native of New Guinea. They have a long curved beak and a long graduated tail. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Prometheus. ] (Zool.) A large American bombycid moth (Callosamia promethea). Its larva feeds on the sassafras, wild cherry, and other trees, and suspends its cocoon from a branch by a silken band. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Prometh&unr_;us: cf. F. prométhéen. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Of or pertaining to Prometheus. See Prometheus. “Promethean fire.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having a life-giving quality; inspiring. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Old Chem.) (a) An apparatus for automatic ignition. (b) A kind of lucifer match. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;, from &unr_; to have forethought for. ] (Class. Myth.) The son of Iapetus (one of the Titans) and Clymene, fabled by the poets to have surpassed all mankind in knowledge, and to have formed men of clay to whom he gave life by means of fire stolen from heaven. Jupiter, being angry at this, sent Mercury to bind Prometheus to Mount Caucasus, where a vulture preyed upon his liver. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } 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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

n. (Law) The person to whom a promise is made. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who promises. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance; as, promising person; a promising day. -- Prom"is*ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. (Law) One who engages or undertakes; a promiser. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Making a promise; implying a promise; promising. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a promissory manner. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Containing a promise or binding declaration of something to be done or forborne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Promissory note (Law), a written promise to pay to some person named, and at a time specified therein, or on demand, or at sight, a certain sum of money, absolutely and at all events; -- frequently called a note of hand. Kent. Byles. Story. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Promontory. [ R. ] Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Promontories [ L. promonturium, promunturium; pro before + mons, montis, mountain: cf. F. promontoire. See Mount, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Phys. Geog.) A high point of land or rock projecting into the sea beyond the line of coast; a headland; a high cape. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like one that stands upon a promontory. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Anat.) A projecting part. Especially: (a) The projecting angle of the ventral side of the sacrum where it joins the last lumbar vertebra. (b) A prominence on the inner wall of the tympanum of the ear. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Biol.) Relating to promorphology; as, a promorphological conception. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biol.) One versed in the science of promorphology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. pro- + morphology. ] (Biol.) Crystallography of organic forms; -- a division of morphology created by Haeckel. It is essentially stereometric, and relates to a mathematical conception of organic forms. See Tectology. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Promoted; p. pr. & vb. n. Promoting. ] [ L. promotus, p. p. of promovere to move forward, to promote; pro forward + movere to move. See Move. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity of (any process or thing that is in course); to forward; to further; to encourage; to advance; to excite; as, to promote learning; to promote disorder; to promote a business venture. “Born to promote all truth.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise; to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will promote thee unto very great honor. Num. xxii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee. Prov. iv. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To forward; advance; further; patronize; help; exalt; prefer; elevate; dignify. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To urge on or incite another, as to strife; also, to inform against a person. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, forwards, advances, or promotes; an encourager; as, a promoter of charity or philosophy. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically, one who sets on foot, and takes the preliminary steps in, a scheme for the organization of a corporation, a joint-stock company, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who excites; as, a promoter of sedition. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An informer; a makebate. [ Obs. ] Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Genetics) The region of a DNA molecule to which RNA polymerase binds to initiate the process of transcription, i.e. the synthesis of RNA whose sequence is determined by the sequence of the DNA adjacent to the promoter site; also, the sequence of bases in the DNA at such a promoter site. [ PJC ]

6. (Chem.) A substance that increases the activity of a catalyst, when present in small quantity in the reaction mixture. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. promotio: cf. F. promotion. ] The act of promoting, advancing, or encouraging; the act of exalting in rank or honor; also, the condition of being advanced, encouraged, or exalted in honor; preferment. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. Ps. lxxv. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to advance, promote, or encourage. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]