Adjacent Words

Proposition definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PROPOSI'TION, n. s as z. [L. propositio, from propositus, propono.]
1. That which is proposed; that which is offered for consideration, acceptance or adoption; a proposal; offer of terms. The enemy made propositions of peace; the propositions were not accepted.
2. In logic, one of the three parts of a regular argument; the part of an argument in which some quality, negative or positive, is attributed to a subject; as, "snow is white;" "water is fluid;" "vice is not commendable."
3. In mathematics, a statement in terms of either a truth to be demonstrated, or an operation to be performed. It is called a theorem, when it is something to be proved; and a problem, when it is something to be done.
4. In oratory, that which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; any thing stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.
5. In poetry, the first part of a poem, in which the author states the subject or matter of it. Horace recommends modesty and simplicity in the proposition of a poem.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: (logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
2: a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection; "it was a suggestion we couldn't refuse" [syn: suggestion, proposition, proffer]
3: an offer for a private bargain (especially a request for sexual favors)
4: the act of making a proposal; "they listened to her proposal" [syn: proposal, proposition]
5: a task to be dealt with; "securing adequate funding is a time-consuming proposition" v
1: suggest sex to; "She was propositioned by a stranger at the party"

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. (1) something offered for consideration or acceptance ; proposal (2) a request for sexual intercourse b. the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset c. a theorem or problem to be demonstrated or performed 2. a. an expression in language or signs of something that can be believed, doubted, or denied or is either true or false b. the objective meaning of a proposition 3. something of an indicated kind to be dealt with <the farm was never a paying proposition> • propositional adjective II. transitive verb (-sitioned; propositioning) Date: 1924 to make a proposal to; especially to suggest sexual intercourse to

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a statement or assertion. 2 a scheme proposed; a proposal. 3 Logic a statement consisting of subject and predicate that is subject to proof or disproof. 4 colloq. a problem, opponent, prospect, etc. that is to be dealt with (a difficult proposition). 5 Math. a formal statement of a theorem or problem, often including the demonstration. 6 a an enterprise etc. with regard to its likelihood of commercial etc. success. b a person regarded similarly. 7 colloq. a sexual proposal. --v.tr. colloq. make a proposal (esp. of sexual intercourse) to (he propositioned her). Phrases and idioms: not a proposition unlikely to succeed. Derivatives: propositional adj. Etymology: ME f. OF proposition or L propositio (as PROPOUND)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Proposition Prop`o*si"tion, n. [L. propositio: cf. F. proposition. See Propound.] 1. The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering. ``Oblations for the altar of proposition.'' --Jer. Taylor. 2. That which is proposed; that which is offered, as for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; a proposal; as, the enemy made propositions of peace; his proposition was not accepted. 3. A statement of religious doctrine; an article of faith; creed; as, the propositions of Wyclif and Huss. Some persons . . . change their propositions according as their temporal necessities or advantages do turn. --Jer. Taylor. 4. (Gram. & Logic) A complete sentence, or part of a sentence consisting of a subject and predicate united by a copula; a thought expressed or propounded in language; a from of speech in which a predicate is affirmed or denied of a subject; as, snow is white. 5. (Math.) A statement in terms of a truth to be demonstrated, or of an operation to be performed. Note: It is called a theorem when it is something to be proved, and a problem when it is something to be done. 6. (Rhet.) That which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration. 7. (Poetry) The part of a poem in which the author states the subject or matter of it. Leaves of proposition (Jewish Antiq.), the showbread. --Wyclif (Luke vi. 4). Syn: Proposal; offer; statement; declaration. Usage: Proposition, Proposal. These words are both from the Latin verb proponere, to set forth, and as here compared they mark different forms or stages of a negotiation. A proposition is something presented for discussion or consideration; as, propositions of peace. A proposal is some definite thing offered by one party to be accepted or rejected by the other. If the proposition is favorably received, it is usually followed by proposals which complete the arrangement.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(propositions, propositioning, propositioned) 1. If you describe something such as a task or an activity as, for example, a difficult proposition or an attractive proposition, you mean that it is difficult or pleasant to do. Making easy money has always been an attractive proposition... Even among seasoned mountaineers Pinnacle Ridge is considered quite a tough proposition. N-COUNT: usu sing, adj N 2. A proposition is a statement or an idea which people can consider or discuss to decide whether it is true. (FORMAL) The proposition that democracies do not fight each other is based on a tiny historical sample. N-COUNT: oft N that 3. In the United States, a proposition is a question or statement about an issue of public policy which appears on a voting paper so that people can vote for or against it. Vote Yes on Proposition 136, but No on Propositions 129, 133 and 134. N-COUNT: oft N num 4. A proposition is an offer or a suggestion that someone makes to you, usually concerning some work or business that you might be able to do together. You came to see me at my office the other day with a business proposition... N-COUNT 5. If someone who you do not know very well propositions you, they suggest that you have sex with them. He had allegedly tried to proposition a colleague. VERB: V n • Proposition is also a noun. ...unwanted sexual propositions. N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Offer (of something to be considered), proffer, tender, overture, suggestion, proposal. 2. Position, thesis, statement, declaration, dictum, assertion, affirmation, doctrine. 3. (Log.) Period, complete sentence.

Moby Thesaurus

a priori principle, a priori truth, accost, advance, affair, affirmance, affirmation, allegation, announcement, annunciation, approach, apriorism, assertion, asseveration, assumed position, assumption, attempt, averment, avouchment, avowal, axiom, basis, bring before, bring forward, bring up, broach, brocard, business, categorical proposition, commend to attention, commitment, conclusion, conjecture, contract, creed, data, deal, declaration, dictate, dictum, effort, engagement, enterprise, enunciation, first principles, formula, foundation, game plan, golden rule, ground, guesswork, hypothesis, hypothesis ad hoc, importune, improper suggestion, indecent proposal, inference, instance, introduce, invitation, ipse dixit, launch, law, lay before, lemma, major premise, make a motion, make a pass, make advances, make an overture, manifesto, minor premise, moot, motion, move, obligation, offer a resolution, open up, operation, overture, pass, philosopheme, philosophical proposition, plan, pose, position, position paper, positive declaration, postulate, postulation, postulatum, predicate, predication, prefer, premise, presumption, presupposal, presupposition, principium, principle, proclamation, profession, proffer, program, project, projection, pronouncement, proposal, propose, propositional function, propound, prospectus, protest, protestation, put, put forth, put forward, put it to, recommend, request, resolution, rule, say, say-so, saying, scenario, self-evident truth, set before, set forth, set of postulates, settled principle, sexual advance, solicit, stance, stand, start, statement, submit, suggest, suggestion, sumption, supposal, supposing, supposition, surmise, task, theorem, thesis, throw a pass, truism, truth, truth table, truth-function, truth-value, undertaking, universal truth, utterance, venture, vouch, word, work, working hypothesis