mid-14c., "a setting forth as a topic for discussion," from Old French proposicion "proposal, submission, (philosophical) proposition" (12c.), from Latin propositionem (nominative propositio) "a setting forth, statement, a presentation, representation; fundamental assumption," noun of action from past participle stem of proponere (see propound). Meaning "action of proposing something to be done" is from late 14c. General sense of "matter, problem, undertaking" recorded by 1877. Related: Propositional.
1914, from proposition (n.); specifically of sexual favors from 1936. Related: Propositioned; propositioning.
An invitation or request for sexual favors; pass: He made a rude proposition and got his ears pinned back
verbTo request sexual favors; COME ON TO someone, MAKE A PASS AT someone: He propositioned every woman at the party
[1924+; defined as ''a proposal of marriage'' in a 1908 source]
logic
A statement in propositional logic which may be either true or false. Each proposition is typically represented by a letter in a formula such as "p => q", meaning proposition p implies proposition q.
(2006-03-14)