promising
    adj 1: showing possibility of achievement or excellence; "a
           promising young man"
    2: full or promise; "had a bright future in publishing"; "the
       scandal threatened an abrupt end to a promising political
       career"; "a hopeful new singer on Broadway" [syn: bright,
       hopeful, promising]

Promise \Prom"ise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Promised; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Promising.]
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   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." --Shak.
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   2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of;
      as, the clouds promise rain. --Milton.
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   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.
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   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.
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                I dare promise myself you will attest the truth
                of all I have advanced.           --Rambler.
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Promising \Prom"is*ing\, a.
   Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance;
   as, promising person; a promising day. -- Prom"is*ing*ly,
   adv.
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