Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Promise \Prom"ise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promised}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Promising}.]
   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.

   2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of;
      as, the clouds promise rain. --Milton.

   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.

   {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.

                I dare promise myself you will attest the truth
                of all I have advanced.           --Rambler.

Source : WordNet®

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" [syn: {bright}]