Promise

An engagement by which the promisor contracts towards another for the performance of some act. 1 Denio (N. Y.) 226. "We are in the habit of considering as the essential feature of contract a promise by one party to another, or by two parties to one another, to do or forbear from doing certain acts. We are further in the habit of using the word 'promise' to signify a binding promise, as opposed to the offer of a promise, or, to use the cumbrous terminology of Austin, a pollicitation. * * * There are then three stages necessary to the making of that sort of agreement which results in contract: There must be an offer, there must be an acceptance of the offer resulting in a promise, and the law must attach a binding force to the promise, so as to invest it with the character of an obligation."

Anson, Cont. 4.