I. ˌpräpəˈzishən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English proposicioun, from Middle French proposition, from Latin proposition-, propositio representation, proposition, major premise, from propositus (past participle of proponere to display, declare, propound) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at propound
1.
a. obsolete : the act of proposing something for discussion or development (as by argument, narration)
b. : something proposed or offered for consideration, acceptance, or adoption : proposal
the proposition to extend the … act spurred him to a defense of … institutions — S.H.Adams
c. : the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset
d.
(1) : a formal statement of a mathematical truth to be proved or demonstrated : theorem
(2) : a mathematical statement of an operation to be performed : problem
2.
a. obsolete : the act of setting or showing forth
b. obsolete : the act of offering : offer
allures us by the proposition of rewards — Jeremy Taylor
3.
a. : a declarative sentence : an expression in language, symbols, or signs of something capable of being believed, doubted, or denied : a verbal expression that is either true or false — called also statement
b. : the objective meaning of a statement
c. : a statement together with its objective meaning
4.
a. : a project, plan, undertaking, or situation requiring some action (as dealing with, managing, operating, carrying out) with reference to it : business , affair
a wounded bull is a nasty proposition to tackle — Manchester Guardian Weekly
writing is essentially a two-way proposition — S.E.Fitzgerald
the scheme … has come up against a political snag and is at the moment not a practical proposition — W.B.Fisher
it looked as if the mine would never become a paying proposition
b. : a person requiring to be dealt with
a tough proposition
a queer proposition
c. : a proposed conditional bargain, agreement, deal, or settlement of a difficulty
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make a proposal to : offer a scheme to ; specifically : to suggest sexual intercourse to
had a habit of pinching and propositioning the nurses — Alan Hynd