propositionn.
/ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌprɑpəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. † a. Something proposed for discussion or solution; a problem, a riddle; a parable. Obsolete.Also spec. in Logic (see quot. 1656); for a corresponding use of problem see problem n. 2b.† c. The introductory part of a speech, literary work, etc., in which the subject to be treated is set forth. Obsolete.In quot. 1845: the speech with which the emperor opened the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire.† d. Music. The subject of a fugue. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > a profound secret, mystery > puzzle, enigma, riddle > [noun]
riddleOE
purposec1350
problema1382
propositiona1382
conclusion1393
divinailc1430
opposal?a1439
riddling?c1475
wordc1480
why1532
dark, hard sentence1535
enigma1539
remblere1599
puzzlement1646
gripha1652
puzzler1651
riddlemy riddlemy1652
puzzle1655
crux1718
teaser1759
puzzleation1767
conundrum1790
poser1793
riddle-me-ree1805
stumper1807
tickler1825
sticker1849
brain-teaser1850
grueller1856
question mark1870
brain-twister1878
skull-buster1926
mind-bender1968
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [noun] > matter for discussion
questionc1225
pointc1300
propositiona1382
conclusion1393
positiona1398
motivec1400
move1439
gainsay1559
moot point1563
argumenta1568
prop1607
contention1635
corollary1636
hypothesis1669
discursivea1676
contestation1880
submission1884
the mind > will > intention > planning > [noun] > a plan > a proposed plan or a project
propositiona1382
present?a1400
motiona1425
pleaa1500
action1533
propose1568
project1582
proposala1629
projection1633
party1653
projecture1658
scheme1719
ad referendum1753
swim1860
action plan1889
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of debate or discussion
proposec1350
purposec1350
propositiona1382
problema1387
conclusionc1400
state of the causea1525
question1549
argumenta1568
thesis1579
disquisition1605
problem1645
consultation1663
consult1683
propos1816
issue1836
chat1861
debating point1927
battleground1931
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Judges xiv. 14 Þei..answerdyn to hym, ‘Purpose þe probleme þat wee heeryn’..& þei myȝtyn not bi þre daies soilyn þe proposicyoun [L. propositionem].
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Psalms lxxvii. 2 I shal openen in parablys my mouþ; I shal speken proposiciouns [L. propositiones] fro þe begynnyng.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. viii. 23 There shal ryse a king vnshamfast in face and vnderstondynge proposiciouns or resouns [a1425 L.V. proposisiouns, ether resouns set forth; L. propositiones].
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. 6363 (MED) Sampson..fantasied..Ful secreli this proposicioun..and gan it foorth purpose That Philistes to hym it sholde expowne.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xlviii. 4 I sall oppyn in psawtry my proposicion [L. propositionem]; That is, i sall..lerand me to speke in parabils, that is, in likyngis that all men kan noght vndirstand.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) iii. 221 Yhit had yhe noucht Fundyn my propositioune.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum (at cited word) A proposition is an argument or matter proposed to be disputed and reasoned vpon.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 228 It is as easie to count Atomies as to resolue the propositions of a Louer. View more context for this quotation
1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. vi. 48 All disputation is of things controverted, either by Problem or proposition. A Problem questions both parts, as, a living Creature, is it the genus of man or not? A proposition questions but one part, as, Is not living creature the genus of man?
b. Mathematics. A formal statement of a truth to be demonstrated (cf. theorem n. 1) or an operation to be performed (cf. problem n. 4).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematics > [noun] > mathematical enquiry > proposition
proposition?a1425
prop1826
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. pr. x. 151 Thise geometriens, whan thei han schewed her proposicions [L. propositis], ben wont to bryngen yn thinges that thei clepen porismes or declaracions of forseide thinges.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 7v Propositions are of two sortes, the one is called a Probleme, the other a Theoreme.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. ii. §6 The finding out of that demonstration, which is now contained in the 47 proposition of the first of Euclide.
a1678 J. Newton Cosmographia (1679) 93 To resolve this Proposition, there must be given the whole content of the Cask, the Diameter at the Bung, and the wet Portion thereof.
1718 J. Quincy Pharmacopœia Officinalis 16 These Propositions, which are demonstrated in Hydrostaticks.
1810 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 6) I. 2 A Corollary..is a consequence drawn immediately from some proposition.
1876 Scribner's Monthly May 51/1 When his students saw the fatal words, ‘It is easy to see,’ standing in the midst of a tough proposition, they knew that something exceptionally intricate was at hand.
1972 M. Kline Math. Thought li. 1207 Gödel proved that any system embracing number theory must contain an undecidable proposition.
1998 J. L. Heilbron Geom. Civilized iv. 145 Propositions adduced in the proof but not previously demonstrated are marked with an asterisk.
ΚΠ
1695 W. J. tr. R. Le Bossu Treat. Epick Poem iii. iii. 117 The Epick Proposition is that first part of the Poem, wherein the Author proposes briefly, and in the General, what he has to say in the Body of his Work.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 158. ⁋12 The proposition of the Eneid closes with dignity.
1771 E. Granan in tr. M. Vida Christiad sig. B The Argument of the first book of Vida's Christiad. After the proposition and invocation, the poet..introduces Christ, his Hero, on the verge of life.
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) Horace recommends modesty and simplicity in the proposition of a poem.
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) I. 517 The Proposition with which he opened the diet sufficiently showed that the young emperor was determined to avail himself of it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > piece in specific form > [noun] > fugue > subject
principal1597
dux1740
guide1753
proposition1876
subject2005
diminished subject-
1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 411/1 In a fugue the subject is called also the exposition, dux, proposition.
1890 Cent. Dict. Proposition,..the subject of a fugue, as distinguished from the answer.
2. † b. spec. A formal proposal made in negotiations involving American Indians (see quot. 1727). Obsolete.
a. Something suggested or put forward as a scheme, plan, or course of action. Cf. proposal n. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > suggestion
propositiona1382
suggestion1382
subjectionc1405
subjestion1443
incasting1469
submonition1562
suggestc1614
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) 3 Kings xviii. 24 Helias seiþ..‘Inwardli clepe ȝee þe name of ȝoure goddys, & I schal inwardli clepen þe name of my god, & god þat hereþ bi þe fijr, he be god;’ al þe puple answeryng seiþ, ‘best þe proposicioun [a1425 L.V. resoun; L. propositio] þat helias spac.’
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward V f. xxiijv When the protector had harde the proposicion, he loked very strangely therat.
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin i. 17 This proposicion had no willing passage into the eares or hartes of the great Lordes of Fraunce.
1653 Sir E. Hyde in Evelyn's Mem. (1819) II. 206 Any such proposicons and expedients which you thinke fitt to offer for the promoting his seruice.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 813 As to the proposition for a Prince Regent, it was argued, that this was..against Monarchy.
1775 G. Stuart tr. J. L. de Lolme Constit. Eng. i. iii. 76 If, after a more compleat discussion, the proposition is carried in the affirmative, it is sent to the other House.
a1806 C. J. Fox Hist. James II (1808) 101 That a proposition to the Prince of Orange, to connect himself in politicks with Lewis, would..have been rejected.
1818 Times 6 May 2/2 The proposition of Mr. Clay, in the house of Representatives, for acknowledging the independence of the provinces of La Plata, was lost by a majority of seventy.
a1873 S. Wilberforce Ess. (1874) II. 321 We hold it essential to our success..that the proposition of Sir George Clerk should be adopted.
1916 Amer. Hist. Rev. 21 259 [He] threw out the proposition to establish a line of post-houses along the coast from the Acadian boundary to Carolina.
1953 Zanesville (Ohio) Signal 6 Mar. 4/1 The production was arranging to go to Columbus when Mr. Weller submitted his proposition to the management and they decided to come to Zanesville instead.
1979 Canad. Mineralogist 17 638/1 It is proposed that the name mohsite be discarded. This proposition has been accepted by the I.M.A.
2004 N.Y. Times Mag. 2 May 50/2 A sweeping proposition—namely that with no meaningful judicial review, any American citizen alleged to be an enemy combatant could be detained indefinitely.
ΚΠ
1727 C. Colden Hist. Five Indian Nations i. iii. 41 Without laying down either Bever or any Belt or Wampum, as we always do when we make..Propositions. [Note] The word Proposition has always been used by the Commissioners for the Indian Affairs at Albany, to signifie Proposals or Articles.
1792 P. Williamson French & Indian Cruelty Exemplified 93 The only way to maintain a friendly correspondence with them [sc. the Indians], is by making such propositions to them as will secure their liberties.
c. North American. A proposed law, referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment, or recall that is submitted to voters at an election.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > [noun] > bill > general types of
overture1561
bill of review1623
transmiss1764
personal bill1844
remanet1845
private member's bill1872
counter-bill1880
Bill of Rights1892
proposition1911
society > law > [noun] > bill > a constitutional proposal in U.S.A.
prop1607
proposition1911
1911 Chicago Tribune 9 Mar. 1 The proposition then submitted provided that at the next general election the legislature should submit to the people of the state an amendment providing for the adoption of a state wide initiative and referendum.
1921 Congress. Rec. 21 Feb. 3537/1 If this particular proposition were a law, and the Federal Trade Commission were given the authority that is herein provided, they would protect the country and the people in it by proper license.
1979 Tucson (Arizona) Mag. Jan. 25/1 Today's mad, mad world of Proposition 13 and other horrors.
2004 Financial Times (Nexis) 28 Oct. 15 They worry that proponents of Proposition 71 have given excessive promises of cures for diseases and conditions from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's to diabetes and spinal injury.
3. The action of setting forth or presenting something to view or perception; presentation, exhibition, display; (occasionally) an instance of this. Now rare.Chiefly in loaves of proposition n. (in or with reference to biblical use) the twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed on display in the Jewish tabernacle or temple as a symbolic offering (= shewbread n.); table of proposition n. the table on which the loaves of proposition were displayed.In quot. 1584: representation by a figure, delineation (cf. propound v. 5).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [noun]
uppingc950
showingOE
propositiona1382
evidencec1384
musterc1400
manifestation?a1425
demonstrationc1450
ostension1474
demonstrance1509
ostentationa1513
forthsetting1528
apparition1533
manifesting1536
outshow1547
objection1554
displaying1556
proclamation1567
discovery1576
remonstrance1583
appearance1587
explicature1592
ostent1600
object1609
showing forth1615
innotescencea1631
presentment1637
deplication1648
display1661
exertion1668
extraversion1675
exhibitiona1677
exertment1696
show-off1776
unfoldment1850
outcrop1854
outplay1859
eclosion1889
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > drawing > [noun]
tracingc1440
drawing1467
draught1551
protracture1551
delineation1570
proposition1584
delineating1603
protracting1661
iconography1678
graphic design1956
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. xxv. 30 Þou schalt putte apon þe borde louys of propicisioun [a1425 L.V. proposicioun; L. propositionis].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Macc. i. 23 He toke the golden auter, and the candilstike of liȝt, and alle vessels therof, and the bord of proposicioun.
c1425 Concordance Wycliffite Bible f. 90v (MED) Looues of propocisioun mr. secounde cap.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) ix. 59 He..reft the goldin alter..ande the tabil of propositione.
1584 J. Lyly Campaspe (new ed.) iii. iv. sig. Dv Alex. Where do you first begin, when you drawe any picture? Apel. The proposition [1584 (ed. 1) proportion] of the face in iust compasse, as I can.
1609 Bible (Douay) I. 1 Paralipomenon xxviii. 16 He gaue also gold for tables of proposition, according to the diuersitie of the tables.
1659 T. Lushington Recantation Serm. in Resurrection Rescued 82 The 12. loaves of Proposition.
1753 R. Challoner Considerations Christian Truths I. 333 These loaves called the holy bread, and the loaves of proposition, or shew-bread, were also a figure of the holy Eucharist.
1866 Liturgy Ch. Sarum 67 A proposition of Christ under the sacramental veils, to receive the adoration of the faithful.
1912 Catholic Encycl. XIII. 296/2 The loaves of proposition for the ministers.
1955 G. Ricciotti Hist. Israel I. 304 The hall, with its enduring symbols of worship (altar of incense, table of proposition, candelabra).
1992 C. G. Flegg Gathered under Apostles iv. 227 It was at this point that the proposition of the Holy Gifts upon the altar took place.
4.
a. Something which is asserted or avowed; a sentence or form of words in which this is done; a statement, an assertion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > [noun]
declaration1340
propositionc1390
presentmentc1454
unsecretness1526
advancement1532
representation1553
upgiving1574
pronouncement1593
presentation1597
proposal1597
declarement1633
pronounce1641
enunciation1651
declaring1667
advance1699
declarature1729
statement1776
stating1780
constatation1952
c1390 G. Chaucer Melibeus 2466 And as touchynge the proposicioun [v.rr. proposioun, prepocicioun, preposicion] which that the phisiciens encresceden in this cas, this is to seyn, that in maladies that oon contrarie is warisshed by another contrarie, I wolde fayn knowe how ye vnderstande thilke text.
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. pr. iv. 75 It is ryght that he schewe that some of the premysses ben false, or elles he mot schewe that the collacioun of proposicions is nat spedful to a necessarie conclusioun.
?a1450 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (BL Add. 12056) (1894) 8 (MED) He moste stodyen in..art, þat techyth hym to preven ys proposiciones with gode resoun.
a1500 ( Chron. H. Knighton (1895) II. 172 (MED) Whan I was requirede specyaly to say what I felde of þis proposition, ‘Materiale brede leves in þe Sacrament aftur þe consecration’. I make þis protestation þat I never þouȝt ne tauȝt, ne prechide that proposition.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxxviv Your mercy..passeth right. God graunt that proposycion to be verifyed in me.
1574 J. Whitgift Def. Aunswere to Admon. ii. 100 You shoulde haue kept you to the improuing [i.e. disproving] of this generall proposition.
1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ii. 26 Though it be not in the power of any Councel..to make that proposition heretical,..which was not heretical ever from the daies of the Apostles.
1709 W. Steuart Coll. & Observ. Church Scotl. 30 The Presbyterial Exercise and Addition; The Exercise gives the Coherence of the Text and Context, the Logical Division, etc. The Addition gives the Doctrinal Propositions or Truths.
1753 Ess. Celibacy 104 If a vapoured person is at one time convinced of the truth of any proposition,..at another he will adopt the opposite opinion.
1827 J. Bentham Rationale Judicial Evid. III. v. xvi. 274 That the proposition, two and two make four, is neither more nor less than a proposition concerning the import of words.
1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight i. 10 A proposition too plain to admit of argument.
1930 E. K. Chambers William Shakespeare I. vii. 235 The great majority of the plays are Shakespeare's from beginning to end, and..when he had once written them, he left them alone... These are propositions which, so far, disintegrating criticism has entirely failed to shake.
1973 Times 13 Dec. 13/4 It is a received idea that television is the most powerful medium ever devised. The proposition is hardly ever questioned.
2005 New Yorker 24 Oct. 85/2 Ernst Haeckel's law of recapitulation—the proposition that ‘ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny’—captured the spirit of the age.
b. spec. in Logic.
(a) A statement which is capable of truth or falsity; (also occasionally) a mental formulation of that which is expressed by such a statement (cf. judgement n. 7b).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [noun]
proposition?a1475
axiom1588
proposite1620
propos1816
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1879) VII. 281 (MED) If ye redde logike, reduce to mynde a proposicion: That thynge whiche hathe effecte in the holle, hathe effecte in the parte.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Evij A Proposition is a perfite sentence spoken by the Indicatiue mode, signifyyng either a trewe thyng, or a false.
1574 R. MacIlmaine tr. P. de La Ramée Logike ii. i. 72 The proposition hathe two partes... The proposition affirmatiue, is when the consequent affirmethe vpon the antecedent: as, a man is mortall.
1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. v. 62 Of that speech which we call a Proposition, there are two kinds, Affirmation and Negation.
1725 I. Watts Logick ii. ii. §1 Propositions may be divided according to their subject into universal and particular; this is usually called a division arising from the quantity.
1770 tr. C. von Wolff Logic 71 Propositions express either the agreement or non-agreement of something with the subject; or they shew in what manner a thing may be made or done.
1827 R. Whately Elements Logic (ed. 2) i. ii. §2. 55 An act of apprehension expressed in language, is called a term; an act of judgement, a proposition; an act of reasoning, an argument.
a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1859) II. xxxvii. 336 The whole mental judgement, formed by the subject, predicate, and copula, is called, when enounced in words, proposition.
1912 B. Russell Problems of Philosophy x. 163 One way of discovering what a proposition deals with is to ask ourselves what words we must understand.
1988 A. C. Grayling Wittgenstein i. 15 We can say that a proposition is something asserted or proposed for acceptance as true.
2002 Philos. Rev. 111 606 This proposition is true relative to an arbitrary possible world w′ and time t′.
(b) Either of the premises of a syllogism; esp. the major premise (opposed to assumption n. 12). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical syllogism > [noun] > premise(s)
premisea1398
antecedenta1425
antecedencea1500
proposition1532
prepositions1647
premisala1651
hypothesis1656
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical syllogism > [noun] > premise(s) > major or first premise
major1530
proposition1532
major proposition1533
sumption1656
major premise1728
propositum1858
1532 R. Whitford Pype or Tonne f. viiiv An other proposition or sentence, whiche scolemen done call a minore, that is to meane a seconde proposition.
1567 T. Wilson Logike 23b The matter [i.e. the middle term] is twise rehearsed in the firste and seconde Proposicion, and entreth not into the conclusion.
1604 King James VI & I Counterblaste to Tobacco sig. B3 Of this Argument, both the Proposition and Assumption are false, and so the Conclusion cannot but be voyd of it selfe.
1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 266 We learne from Aristotle, cap. 48. that, the proposition and assumption may be vniversall, yet the conclusion not vniversall.
1672 T. Godden Catholicks No Idolaters 23 This is the major Proposition of his Syllogism, and if this fail, the Charge he builds upon it, must needs fall.
1725 I. Watts Logick iii. ii. §3 There is also a fourth figure, wherein the middle term is predicated in the major proposition, and subjected in the minor.
a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1860) III. xv. 281 Of the premises, the one which enounces the general rule, or the relation of the greatest quantity to the lesser, is called the Major Premise, or Major Proposition or the Proposition simply.
1906 H. W. B. Joseph Introd. Logic xii. 240 The difference of mood depends on the quantity and quality of the propositions composing the syllogism.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > [noun]
proffera1325
presentation1427
presentingc1430
offer1433
proposition1541
tender1577
tendry1624
tendering1625
offerture1631
proposala1640
deference1660
oblation1678
offering1706
porrection1715
the mind > will > intention > planning > [noun] > a plan > a proposed plan or a project > proposing a person for election or admission
proposition1541
1541 in A. F. Johnston & M. Rogerson Rec. Early Eng. Drama: York (1979) I. 275 The sayde master Recorder then of his kneys made a goodly proposycion of Submissyon vn to hys hyghnes.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 2 The ample proposition that hope makes, In all designes. View more context for this quotation
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar i. 50 He..sweetly allures us by the proposition of rewards.
a. The action of setting out, declaring, or propounding something, esp. by way of introduction or preamble (cf. sense 1c); an instance of this. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [noun]
positiona1398
proponement1553
proposition1553
proposure1624
eventilation1650
propoundment1846
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > parts of a written composition > [noun] > prologue or introduction
forespeechc1000
prologuec1350
proemya1382
preamblec1395
proemc1410
exordyc1430
prolocutory1447
protocolc1450
forespeaking1480
preface1484
prooemiumc1485
preparation1526
introduction1529
induction1533
introducement1536
epistle?1548
prelude1548
proposition1553
foretalk1565
exordium1581
prolegomenons1600
inducement1605
isagoge1652
propylaeum1693
programma1711
foreword1842
foretalking1872
programme1880
pronaos1894
peritext1977
epitext1978
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. f. 97 Proposicion is a short rehersall of that, wherof we mynde to speake.
1616 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) III. 411 Citit..for confirmatioun of the propositioun of the dittay.
1656 A. Cowley Davideis i. 24 in Poems The custom of beginning all Poems, with a Proposition of the whole work, and an Invocation of some God for his assistance to go through with it, is..observed by all the ancient Poets.
1775 E. Burke Speech Resol. for Concil. Colonies 6 The plan..derives..one great advantage from the proposition and registry of that Noble Lord's Project.
b. Music. The proposing of a subject for contrapuntal treatment. Cf. sense 1d. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > piece in specific form > [noun] > fugue > subject > entry of
point1597
lead1872
proposition1890
1890 Cent. Dict. Proposition,..the act or process of enunciating or giving out a theme or subject.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > suggestion, proposal > [noun]
suggestion1382
proposition1641
whisperinga1682
suggestment1827
suggesting power1828
1641 Remonstr. State of Kingdom 17 Other things of many importance [sic] for the good of this Kingdome, are in proposition.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 39 To go over into Ireland to Survey some Iron works, Woods and Lands which they were in proposition for.
1680 in J. T. Gilbert Hist. Irish Confederation (1882) Pref. p. xxxvi They laid claim to me..alleging further that their General [Garrett Barry] was old and unfortunate: and that if I had the command, all would join in the defence of their country, and take new courage. I was present at this proposition.
8. Originally U.S.
a. A matter, problem, or undertaking that presents itself for accomplishment, resolution, etc., esp. considered in respect of its likely ease or difficulty or prospects for (originally commercial) success. Usually with modifying word.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > planning > [noun] > a plan > a proposed plan or a project > that requires accomplishment or resolution
proposition1874
1874 Daily Nevada State Jrnl. 7 June As a business proposition it is much better to have a celebration at home, than to go abroad spending money on that day.
1883 Reno (Nevada) Evening Gaz. 26 Jan. They have seen the Cory [mine] developed from a mere coyote hole to a first class mining proposition.
1893 Scribner's Mag. June 756/1 ‘Arn't you ashamed to tell me this?’ ‘Of course I am, but that isn't the proposition just now.’
1896 G. Ade Artie xviii. 168 I'm goin' against a tough proposition.
1902 O. Wister Virginian ii. 19 The biggest tobacco proposition for five cents got out yet.
1902 O. Wister Virginian xviii. 214 I saw over in a fenced meadow..what he was pleased to call ‘the proposition’. Proposition in the West does, in fact, mean whatever you at the moment please.
1929 Daily Express 7 Nov. 2/5 Every industry I want to nationalize must be a business proposition.
1941 Strand Mag. June 140/2 All I know is that I've got to find her. The question is, how? And it won't surprise you to hear that it appears to me to be a pretty stiff proposition.
1988 L. Appignanesi Simone de Beauvoir xiii To create a brief portrait..of a woman who dedicated some 2000 pages to creating her own is something of a proposition.
1999 T. Sawano Creating your own Japanese Garden 58 The building of a wall or fence is a costly proposition.
b. With modifying word. A (tough, difficult, etc.) person to deal with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > [noun] > as having character or qualities
thingc1225
headc1300
vesselc1384
soul1498
sprite?1507
spirit1559
stick1682
character1749
fish1751
hand1756
subject1797
person1807
good1809
specimen1817
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
proposition1894
cookie1913
type1922
city1946
1894 Chicago Tribune 3 Oct. 1/4 He has been considered a tough proposition ever since he was a small boy. Four years ago..he was arrested on suspicion of murdering two boys, [etc.].
1900 G. Ade Fables in Slang 9 In her own Town she had the Name of being a Cold Proposition.
1901 Tit-Bits 27 July 416/2 He was a pretty smooth proposition himself.
1908 C. E. Mulford Orphan xiv. 178 I'd rather have him with me in a mix-up than against me. He's the coolest proposition loose in this part of the country at any game.
1915 T. Burke Nights in Town 19 He is educated..to regard himself as, in the Broadway phrase, a serious proposition.
1979 ‘H. Howard’ Sealed Envelope v. 74 Soon as I discovered she was an easy proposition I dropped out. I don't go for a twist who sleeps in anybody's bed.
2004 Daily Tel. (Sydney) (Nexis) 1 Sept. 84 Federer..said the 2001 US Open champion may prove to be a more dangerous proposition at Flushing Meadows after his highly impressive preparation.
9. Originally U.S. A proposal or invitation to engage in sexual activity, esp. of a casual or illicit nature; a sexual advance or ‘pass’. Cf. proposition v. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > invitation to have sexual intercourse
proposition1937
booty call1993
1937 M. Levin Old Bunch iii. ii. 502 Estelle waited, with an inward smile, for his proposition. There was always this delicious pause, waiting for a fellow to play his tricks. Would he try to get her to a hotel, or did he have a place all laid out in advance, confident he could make her?
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §354/2 Proposition, a proposal for an illicit love affair.
1958 I. Brown Words in Our Time 88 There is thus a nice distinction between a proposal, which implies marriage, and a proposition, which does not.
1982 Chicago Sun-Times 25 Nov. 7/1 Some weeks ago I wrote about..an attractive woman who was sick of the catcalls and propositions she received every time she set foot outside her house.
2002 D. Wallace Hollywoodland (2003) 96 Turning down countless propositions from men claiming to be casting directors who could give her a break for a few ‘favors’.
Compounds
C1. Objective and parasynthetic.
proposition-based adj.
ΚΠ
1983 G. Brown & G. Yule Discourse Anal. iii. 71 We shall consider the possibility of representing ‘the discourse topic’ as a proposition when we investigate the proposition-based analysis of discourse.
1998 Jrnl. Assoc. Teachers of Japanese 32 69 This historical oversight is due..to a preference toward the proposition-based formalism sustained in linguistics.
proposition-forming adj.
ΚΠ
1940 Jrnl. Symbolic Logic 5 167 The difference in interpretation of the proposition-forming functor or and the word or of every-day language.
1968 G. E. Hughes & M. J. Cresswell Introd. Modal Logic ii. 23 ‘It is necessary that’ is thus a (monadic) proposition-forming operator on propositions.
C2.
proposition book n. rare a book recording the names of persons proposed for election or admission.
ΚΠ
1901 Scotsman 21 Nov. 8/1 The proposition book did shew entries of a considerable number of names.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
propositionv.
/ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌprɑpəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
1. transitive. To propose sexual activity, esp. of a casual or illicit nature, to (a person).In quot. 1922: to make a romantic proposal to.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [verb (transitive)] > solicit
solicit1710
accost1806
proposition1922
1922 Indianapolis Star 29 Jan. (Fiction section) 2/4 Ida had been flirted against and ‘officied’ [sic] and propositioned by fast workers, smooth operators, coarse crashers and pop-eyed admirers from every county.
1936 J. G. Cozzens Men & Brethren i. 139 There's no real reason to be embarrassed because your clerical collar keeps you from feeling free to proposition every woman you meet.
1953 W. S. Burroughs Junkie vi. 60 I remember once he told me how he'd been propositioned by a queer who offered him twenty dollars.
1963 T. Pynchon V. xi. 328 The girls were professional and tried for a while to proposition Fausto and Dnubietna.
1996 Mail on Sunday 28 Apr. 49/6 I worked in a London club where I was propositioned—and one customer even offered me money for sex.
2005 Advocate 16 Aug. 60 Singson, arrested after propositioning an undercover cop in a department store restroom, insists he intended to have sex in a private place.
2. transitive. More generally: to make or present a proposal (occasionally spec. a dubious or dishonest one) to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] > propose > proposition a person
approach1857
proposition1922
1922 Mexia (Texas) Evening News 11 June 4/4 Petty..propositioned Irving that they take 50c of this money and purchase Onions instead of Lilies.
1935 A. J. Pollock Underworld Speaks 91/2 Propositioned, asked to join in an unlawful undertaking.
1949 Chicago Tribune 10 Dec. 12/5 Count that day gained in which A sofomore sonny Won't proposition pop For movie money!
1967 Punch 28 June 949/2 While being propositioned by Lord Beaverbrook about becoming the film critic of the Evening Standard, I nervously filled in a yawning silence by telling this anecdote.
1979 Dædalus Summer 46 The deputy..proceeds to proposition her with a debased contract.
2005 New Amer. 22 Aug. 21 The White House and Republican congressional leaders [are] openly propositioning members in the halls of Congress with billions of dollars in federal projects.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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v.1922