Prom·ise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Promised p. pr. & vb. n. Promising.]
 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.”
 2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain.
 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.
 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.
    I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced.   --Rambler.
 Promised Land
      n 1: an ancient country is southwestern Asia on the east coast of
           the Mediterranean; a place of pilgrimage for
           Christianity and Islam and Judaism [syn: Palestine, Canaan,
            Holy Land]
      2: any place of complete bliss and delight and peace [syn: eden,
          paradise, nirvana, heaven, Shangri-la]
      3: the goal towards which Christians strive