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Promise

The document discusses the word 'promise' and how its definition and meaning of assurance has remained largely the same over centuries despite changes in spelling and languages of origin. The author believes the word 'promise' holds significant value because of this consistent meaning and the importance of trust, truth and loyalty that becoming promised to someone conveys.

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124 views

Promise

The document discusses the word 'promise' and how its definition and meaning of assurance has remained largely the same over centuries despite changes in spelling and languages of origin. The author believes the word 'promise' holds significant value because of this consistent meaning and the importance of trust, truth and loyalty that becoming promised to someone conveys.

Uploaded by

api-490906836
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Robinson 1

Promise Robinson

Dr. Cuddy

English 101

September 20, 2019

Something Worth Keeping

There are thousands of words in the English dictionary, but only a good portion have the

pleasure of holding significant value. There’s words such as ​love ​and ​envy ​that can express one’s

feelings, and other words such as ​promise ​and ​honor​ that have the ability to secure one’s

feelings. Every word has its own definition, and its own trace of history. A lot of times, words

have different meanings from when they first originated, it allows you to use the word in a

different aspect. However, the word ​Promise h​ as had similar definitions since originated, and

because of its honorable meaning it holds significant value. The word ​promise ​has made it

through centuries of definitions and still holds its same meaning.

When one thinks of ​promise ​whether it be the intertwining of pinkies, or just simply

keeping a word of honor, it will always be associated with assurance. It is officially stated in the

OED, the word then known as ​promys ​meant “ a declaration or assurance made to another

person, stating a commitment to give, do, or refrain from doing a specified thing,” (“promise,

n”). ​Promys, ​partly originated from French, and partly from Latin in the 14th century (“promise,

n”). Though different spelling then, the definition still remained similar. When compared to a

20th century Australian originated definition, now ​promise, ​means to be assured of something

(“promise, n”). Through hundreds of years of evolution in the English language, culture, and
Robinson 2

environment, some things may appear they have changed, but in reality they are still the same.

Promise i​ s a word commonly used in one’s everyday life and holds value every time it’s used.

As mentioned this word is associated with assurance, and when one is ​promised,​ it progresses

into assurance in something worth keeping.

I once wrote in a song I’m promise by definition, I’m Promise by birth certificate. When I

think of ​promise I​ think of all the dreams, goals, and aspirations I have in my life. I think of how

those exact things are the assurance in life and are the things worth keeping. This helps me stay

motivated, and overall keeps that promise to myself. My mother named me Promise after the

Promise Land in the ​ bible ​and the promises of God. ​Promise h​ olds value to me because of the

value the word comes with. When one makes a promise to you, you hold that person for his or

her word and expect them to follow through and vice versa. When associated with a promise it

requires trust, truth, and loyalty, and those are the things that I firmly believe in. Whether it be

relationships, friendships or even business ​promise ​holds value on different levels​, ​but still

maintains that underlying value of assurance. Whether officially defined or defined based on

connection, ​promise ​has a universally known definition and it holds undeniable value.

Many use ​promise​ on a day today basis and fail to realize. Setting a to do list and

following through was a ​promise​ to yourself. Telling someone you’ll pick them up and actually

doing so was a ​promise ​to that person. Whether now or 600 years ago ​promys​ has remained the

same, and has held its value for centuries. With its underlying message of assurance, ​promise i​ s

a word meant for keeps, and overall its values and definition are something to keep.
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Works Cited

"promise, n." OED Online, Oxford University Press, September 2019,

www.oed.com/view/Entry/152432. Accessed 23 September 2019.

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