premessa

Premessa is an Italian noun that denotes something placed before; in everyday language it most commonly means an introductory statement. It has two primary senses. First, in literary and formal documents, it refers to a preface or introductory section that explains context, scope, or purpose. Second, in logic and philosophy, premessa means a premise, a proposition assumed as true for the sake of argument or reasoning.

In Italian, there is a nuance between premessa and prefazione: a premessa is a broader initial statement or assumption that frames a discussion, whereas a prefazione (preface) is a specific, authorial introduction to a work.

Etymology: the word derives from pre- meaning before and messa from mettere, literally "something placed before."

Usage: In logic, la premessa is the starting point; in legal or policy contexts it may state context and guiding principles at the outset. In literature and discourse, it can indicate background information or assumptions that underpin the ensuing argument or analysis. The term is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday Italian to denote what precedes and frames a discussion or deduction.

See also: Premise, Preface, Foreword, Assumption.