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Message vs Promise - What's the difference?

message | promise |

In intransitive terms the difference between message and promise

is that message is to send a message or messages; to be capable of sending messages while promise is to give grounds for expectation, especially of something good.

In obsolete terms the difference between message and promise

is that message is to bear as a message while promise is bestowal or fulfillment of what is promised.

As nouns the difference between message and promise

is that message is a communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed while promise is an oath or affirmation; a vow.

As verbs the difference between message and promise

is that message is to send a message to; to transmit a message to, e.g. as text via a cell phone while promise is to commit to something or action; to make an oath; make a vow.

message

English

(message) (old-fashioned definitions)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.
  • * Bible, Judges iii. 20
  • I have a message from God unto thee.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.}}
  • An underlying theme or conclusion to be drawn from something.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Travels and travails , passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message : America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}

    Usage notes

    In Ireland, Scotland and Northern England, messages (plural) can mean "groceries, shopping".

    Derived terms

    * instant message * text message

    Abbreviations

    * msg

    Verb

  • To send a message to; to transmit a message to, as text via a cell phone.
  • Just message me for directions.
    I messaged her about the concert.
  • To send (something) as a message; usually refers to electronic messaging.
  • She messaged me the information yesterday.
    Please message the final report by fax.
  • To send a message or messages; to be capable of sending messages.
  • We've implemented a new messaging service.
    The runaway computer program was messaging non-stop.
  • (obsolete) To bear as a message.
  • Synonyms

    * (send a text message to)

    See also

    * instant message * instant messaging * messenger * mission ----

    promise

    English

    Alternative forms

    * promyse

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An oath or affirmation; a vow.
  • A transaction between two persons whereby the first person undertakes in the future to render some service or gift to the second person or devotes something valuable now and here to his use.
  • * 1668 July 3rd, , “Thomas Rue contra'' Andrew Hou?toun” in ''The Deci?ions of the Lords of Council & Se??ion I (Edinburgh, 1683), pages 547–548
  • He pur?ued Andrew Hou?toun upon his promi?e , to give him the like Sallary for the next year, and in ab?ence obtained him to be holden as confe?t and Decerned.
  • Reason to expect improvement or success; potential.
  • * Washington Irving
  • My native country was full of youthful promise .
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), chapter=1
  • , title=(The China Governess) citation , passage=The original family who had begun to build a palace to rival Nonesuch had died out before they had put up little more than the gateway, so that the actual structure which had come down to posterity retained the secret magic of a promise rather than the overpowering splendour of a great architectural achievement.}}
  • (computing, programming) A placeholder object that can be manipulated in code before it has been assigned a value.
  • (obsolete) Bestowal or fulfillment of what is promised.
  • * Bible, Acts i. 4
  • He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father.

    Verb

    (promis)
  • To commit to something or action; to make an oath; make a vow.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=70, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Engineers of a different kind , passage=Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.
  • To give grounds for expectation, especially of something good.
  • The clouds promise rain.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1897, author=
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 citation , passage=I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me. I look upon notoriety with the same indifference as on the buttons on a man's shirt-front, or the crest on his note-paper.}}

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See

    Synonyms

    *

    See also

    * (election promise)

    Statistics

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