proposition

[prop-uh-zish-uh n] /ˌprɒp əˈzɪʃ ən/
noun
1.
the act of offering or suggesting something to be considered, accepted, adopted, or done.
2.
a plan or scheme proposed.
3.
an offer of terms for a transaction, as in business.
4.
a thing, matter, or person considered as something to be dealt with or encountered:
Keeping diplomatic channels open is a serious proposition.
5.
anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.
6.
Rhetoric. a statement of the subject of an argument or a discourse, or of the course of action or essential idea to be advocated.
7.
Logic. a statement in which something is affirmed or denied, so that it can therefore be significantly characterized as either true or false.
8.
Mathematics. a formal statement of either a truth to be demonstrated or an operation to be performed; a theorem or a problem.
9.
a proposal of usually illicit sexual relations.
verb (used with object)
10.
to propose sexual relations to.
11.
to propose a plan, deal, etc., to.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English proposicio(u)n < Latin prōpositiōn- (stem of prōpositiō) a setting forth. See propositus, -ion
Related forms
propositional, adjective
propositionally, adverb
underproposition, noun
Can be confused
preposition, proposition (see usage note at preposition)
Synonyms
2. See proposal.
Examples from the web for propositions
  • And there's a lot of bad research out there dedicated to proving obvious propositions that any lawyer knows.
  • For a theoretical proposition to be scientific, it must generate propositions that are falsifiable in principle.
  • Certainly one can live a life of delusion if one chooses and believe any number of contradictory propositions.
  • All scientific propositions or hypotheses must be formulated so that they can be tested.
  • The big bang doesn't make sense if you actually study it's propositions.
  • propositions arrived at by purely logical means are completely empty as regards reality.
  • It only means proof of propositions is only valid within the logical system.
  • So, patent searches for computer programs become expensive propositions.
  • But these are difficult propositions, fraught with severe problems and political disagreements.
  • In general, propositions need heavy majorities in the summer polling to stand a chance in the fall.
British Dictionary definitions for propositions

proposition

/ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən/
noun
1.
a proposal or topic presented for consideration
2.
(philosophy)
  1. the content of a sentence that affirms or denies something and is capable of being true or false
  2. the meaning of such a sentence: I am warm always expresses the same proposition whoever the speaker is Compare statement (sense 8)
3.
(maths) a statement or theorem, usually containing its proof
4.
(informal) a person or matter to be dealt with: he's a difficult proposition
5.
an invitation to engage in sexual intercourse
verb
6.
(transitive) to propose a plan, deal, etc, to, esp to engage in sexual intercourse
Derived Forms
propositional, adjective
propositionally, adverb
Word Origin
C14 proposicioun, from Latin prōpositiō a setting forth; see propose
Word Origin and History for propositions

proposition

n.

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.

v.

1914, from proposition (n.); specifically of sexual favors from 1936. Related: Propositioned; propositioning.

Slang definitions & phrases for propositions

proposition

noun

An invitation or request for sexual favors; pass: He made a rude proposition and got his ears pinned back

verb

To 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]