premise

[1]	assume , propose , postulate , hypothesize , hypothecate , conjecture , posit , assert , suppose , presuppose , theorize , surmise , put/set forth , predicate , argue
[2]	precede , preface , introduce
[3]	premiss

[1]	premiss , premiss , assumption , assumption , proposition , postulate , hypothesis , conjecture , assertion , supposition , thesis , presupposition , proposal , theorem , surmise , basis , ground