Adjacent Words

Propose definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PROPO'SE, v.t. s as z. [L. propono, proposui;]
1. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance or adoption; as, to propose a bill or resolve to a legislative body; to propose terms of peach; to propose a question or subject for discussion; to propose an alliance by treaty or marriage; to propose alterations or amendments in a law.
2. To offer or present for consideration.
In learning any thing, as little as possible should be proposed to the mind at first.
To propose to one's self, to intend; to design; to form a design in the mind.
PROPO'SE, v.i. To lay schemes. [Not in use.]
[Propose is often used for purpose; as I propose to ride to New York to-morrow. Purpose and propose are different forms of the same word.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

v
1: make a proposal, declare a plan for something; "the senator proposed to abolish the sales tax" [syn: propose, suggest, advise]
2: present for consideration, examination, criticism, etc.; "He proposed a new plan for dealing with terrorism"; "She proposed a new theory of relativity" [syn: project, propose]
3: propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" [syn: aim, purpose, purport, propose]
4: put forward; nominate for appointment to an office or for an honor or position; "The President nominated her as head of the Civil Rights Commission" [syn: nominate, propose]
5: ask (someone) to marry you; "he popped the question on Sunday night"; "she proposed marriage to the man she had known for only two months"; "The old bachelor finally declared himself to the young woman" [syn: propose, declare oneself, offer, pop the question]

Merriam Webster's

verb (proposed; proposing) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purposer, proposer, from Latin proponere (perfect indicative proposui) — more at propound Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1. to form or put forward a plan or intention <man proposes, but God disposes> 2. obsolete to engage in talk or discussion 3. to make an offer of marriage transitive verb 1. a. to set before the mind (as for discussion, imitation, or action) <propose a plan for settling the dispute> b. to set before someone and especially oneself as an aim or intent <proposed to spend the summer in Italy> 2. a. to set forth for acceptance or rejection <propose terms for peace> <propose a topic for debate> b. to recommend to fill a place or vacancy ; nominate <propose them for membership> c. to offer as a toast <propose the happiness of the couple> • proposer noun

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v. 1 tr. (also absol.) put forward for consideration or as a plan. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by to + infin., or verbal noun) intend; purpose (propose to open a restaurant). 3 intr. (usu. foll. by to) offer oneself in marriage. 4 tr. nominate (a person) as a member of a society, for an office, etc. 5 tr. offer (a person's health, a person, etc.) as a subject for a toast. Derivatives: proposer n. Etymology: ME f. OF proposer f. L proponere (as PROPOUND)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Propose Pro*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Proposing.] [F. proposer; pref. pro- (L. pro for, forward) + poser to place. See Pose, v.] 1. To set forth. [Obs.] That being proposed brimfull of wine, one scarce could lift it up. --Chapman. 2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to propose a person for office. 3. To set before one's self or others as a purpose formed; hence, to purpose; to intend. I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England. --Palfrey. To propose to one's self, to intend; to design.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Propose Pro*pose", v. i. 1. To speak; to converse. [Obs.] There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice, Proposing with the prince and Claudio. --Shak. 2. To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a scheme; to design; as, man proposes, but God disposes. 3. To offer one's self in marriage.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Propose Pro*pose", n. [F. propos, L. propositum. See Propound, Purpose, n.] Talk; discourse. [Obs.] --Shak.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(proposes, proposing, proposed) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If you propose something such as a plan or an idea, you suggest it for people to think about and decide upon. Britain is about to propose changes to some institutions... It was George who first proposed that we dry clothes in that locker. = suggest VERB: V n/-ing, V that 2. If you propose to do something, you intend to do it. It's still far from clear what action the government proposes to take over the affair... And where do you propose building such a huge thing? VERB: V to-inf, V -ing 3. If you propose a theory or an explanation, you state that it is possibly or probably true, because it fits in with the evidence that you have considered. (FORMAL) This highlights a problem faced by people proposing theories of ball lightning... Newton proposed that heavenly and terrestrial motion could be unified with the idea of gravity. VERB: V n, V that 4. If you propose a motion for debate, or a candidate for election, you begin the debate or the election procedure by formally stating your support for that motion or candidate. A delegate from Siberia proposed a resolution that he stand down as party chairman... VERB: V n • proposer (proposers) ...Mr Ian Murch, the proposer of the motion. N-COUNT 5. If you propose a toast to someone or something, you ask people to drink a toast to them. Usually the bride's father proposes a toast to the health of the bride and groom. VERB: V n 6. If you propose to someone, or propose marriage to them, you ask them to marry you. He had proposed to Isabel the day after taking his seat in Parliament. VERB: V to n, also V, V n, V n to n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. Offer (for consideration) proffer, tender, present, suggest, recommend, move. II. v. n. Intend, design, mean, purpose, have the intention, propose to one's self, declare a purpose.

Moby Thesaurus

advance, advise, advocate, aim, aim at, ask, aspire after, aspire to, assert, be after, become engaged, bid, brief, bring before, bring forward, bring up, broach, call attention to, coach, come up with, commend to attention, confer, consult with, contemplate, counsel, design, designate, desire, destine, determine, direct, drive at, expect, go for, guide, harbor a design, have every intention, instruct, intend, introduce, kibitz, launch, lay before, lay down, make a motion, mean, meddle, mind, moot, move, name, name for office, nominate, offer, offer a resolution, open up, plan, pop the question, pose, posit, postulate, predicate, prefer, prescribe, present, proffer, project, proposition, propound, purport, purpose, put, put forth, put forward, put it to, put up, recommend, request, resolve, run, run for office, set before, set forth, solicit, start, submit, suggest, table, tender, think