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proposition definition

propo·si·tion (präp′ə zis̸h′ən)

noun

  1. the act of proposing
    1. something proposed; proposal, plan
    2. ☆ Informal an unethical or immoral proposal, specif. one of illicit sexual relations in return for some gain
  3. a subject or statement to be discussed or debated
  4. ☆ Informal a proposed deal, as in business
  5. ☆ Informal a person, problem, undertaking, etc. being or to be dealt with
  6. Archaic a setting forth; offering
  7. Logic an informative statement whose truth or falsity can be evaluated by means of logic
  8. Math. a theorem to be demonstrated or a problem to be solved

Etymology: ME proposicioun < OFr proposition < L propositio < proponere: see propose

transitive verb

to make a proposition, esp. an improper one, to

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

proposition Synonyms

proposition

n.

  1. A proposal

    proposal, scheme, project, suggestion; see plan 2, proposal 1, 2, suggestion 1.

  2. A statement set forth

    premise, thesis, theorem, position, resolution, statement; see also declaration 1, 2, doctrine 1, hypothesis. See syn. study at proposal.


proposition

v.

  1. To propose

    offer, recommend, suggest; see propose 1.

  2. To make sexual advances

    make overtures, make an indecent proposal, make a pass; see solicit 3.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

proposition Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • assert: When the speakers make a practice of asserting the proposition under these conditions, they become the proposition's truth conditions.

Adjective modifier

  • viable: Provided the resource is there, community hydro projects can also be a viable proposition.

Modifies a noun

  • bet: Proposition bets - 21/08/06 I have entered into a significant proposition bet with a friend.

Noun used with modifier

  • win-win: For both gas sufferers and those near and dear to them, this passive control device offers a win-win proposition.
proposition usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

proposition quotes

The criterion which we use to test the genuineness of apparent statements of fact is the criterion of verifiability.We say that a sentence isfactually significant to any given person, if, and only if, he knows how to 44 verify the proposition which it purports to express ö that is, if he knows what observations would lead him, under certain conditions, to accept the proposition as being true, or reject it as being false.

-Ayer, SirAlfred Jules

It is perfectly true, as philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards.But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards. And if one thinks over that proposition it becomes more and more evident that life can never really be understood in time simply because at no particular moment can I find the necessary resting-place from which to understand itöbackwards.

-Kierkegaard, So«  ren Aabye

Doubt everything at least once, even the proposition that two times two equals four.

-Lichtenberg, Georg Christoph

proposition quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"proposition." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/proposition>

APA Style

proposition. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/proposition

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