promissory, a.
(ˈprɒmɪsərɪ)
[ad. med.L. prōmissōri-us (Bonaventura a 1274), f. L. prōmissor: see above and -ory2.]
1. a. Conveying, containing, or implying a promise; of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a promise.
| 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. Disc. ix. 115 [It] require[s] the sanction of promissory oaths. 1696 Lorimer Goodwin's Disc. vii. 71 A form of words which..was..promissory of Eternal Life upon a possible condition. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia viii. viii, Her imagination,—that source of promissory enjoyment. 1851 H. Martineau Hist. Eng. 1800–15 ii. i. (1878) 259 Popham's Circular to the British merchants, promissory of a rich trade. 1890 Bridgett Blunders & Forgeries iv. 107 The binding power of a promissory oath. |
b. promissory note: a signed document containing a written promise to pay a stated sum to a particular person (or to the bearer), either at a specified date, or on demand.
| 1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4699/4 A Bill to make Promissory Notes more effectual. 1711 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 10 May, To lend Stella twenty pounds, and to take her note promissory to pay it in half a year. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. xxx. 446 If a man..gives a promissory note, he shall not be allowed to aver the want of a consideration in order to evade the payment. 1833 H. Martineau Berkeley the Banker i. iv. 81 A bank note is a promissory note for a definite sum; and it must be stamped. 1882 [see agent n. 4]. 1911 Oklahoma Session Laws (3rd Legislature) 216 If any such promissory note or assessment is not paid when due, action may be brought thereon. 1960 G. Durrell Zoo in my Luggage iii. 79, I paid him the two shillings, and then wrote out a promissory note for the other five shillings. 1972 Times 18 Feb. 20/5 In 1963 UDT..accepted a number of promissory notes. |
2. fig. Conveying a ‘promise’ or indication of something to come, esp. of good; full of promise, promising; prognosticatory.
| 1839–48 Bailey Festus xxiii. (ed. 4) 294 A promissory Being unfulfilled. 1891 Harper's Mag. Jan. 205/1 The tender glow of evening,..so promissory of the splendid days to come. Ibid. Apr. 728/1 She nodded her head with a look promissory of horrors. |