premise

A statement assumed to be true as the basis for an argument or theory; (plural) a building and its surrounding land.

• (no common derivatives)

• basic premise
• false premise
• premise that
• on the premise
• business premises

1. 1.The entire argument rests on the premise that economic growth is always desirable — but is that true? (foundational assumption)
2. 2.Smoking is not permitted on the premises. (buildings and grounds)

• assumption/əˈsʌmpʃən/— something taken for granted — very close
• hypothesis/haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/— a proposed explanation — more scientific
• basis/ˈbeɪsɪs/— the foundation for something

from Latin "praemissa" (proposition set before) — prae- (before) + mittere (to send) — something "sent before" as groundwork for an argument