proposition definition | Dictionary.com

prop⋅o⋅si⋅tion

[prop-uh-zish-uh

–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; ME proposicio(u)n < L prōpositiōn- (s. of prōpositiō) a setting forth. See propositus, -ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Language Translation for : proposition

Spanish:

propuesta, proposición,

German:

der Vorschlag,

Japanese:

提案

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prop·o·si·tion (prŏp'ə-zĭsh'ən) Pronunciation Key
n.

A plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal.
A matter to be dealt with; a task: Finding affordable housing can be a difficult proposition.
An offer of a private bargain, especially a request for sexual relations.
A subject for discussion or analysis.
Logic
1. A statement that affirms or denies something.
2. The meaning expressed in such a statement, as opposed to the way it is expressed.
Mathematics A theorem.

tr.v. prop·o·si·tioned, prop·o·si·tion·ing, prop·o·si·tions
To propose a private bargain to, especially to propose sexual relations with.

[Middle English proposicion, from Old French proposition, from Latin prōpositiō, prōpositiōn-, setting out in words, from prōpositus, past participle of prōpōnere, to set forth; see propose.]
prop'o·si'tion·al adj., prop'o·si'tion·al·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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proposition
noun
1.	(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
2.	a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection; "it was a suggestion we couldn't refuse" [syn: suggestion]
3.	an offer for a private bargain (especially a request for sexual favors)
4.	the act of making a proposal; "they listened to her proposal" [syn: proposal]
5.	a task to be dealt with; "securing adequate funding is a time-consuming proposition"
verb
1.	suggest sex to; "She was propositioned by a stranger at the party"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

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proposition 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)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe

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Proposition

Prop`o*si"tion\, n. [L. propositio: cf. F. proposition. See Propound.]

1. The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering. "Oblations for the altar of proposition." --Jer. Taylor.

2. That which is proposed; that which is offered, as for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; a proposal; as, the enemy made propositions of peace; his proposition was not accepted.

3. A statement of religious doctrine; an article of faith; creed; as, the propositions of Wyclif and Huss.

Some persons . . . change their propositions according as their temporal necessities or advantages do turn. --Jer. Taylor.

4. (Gram. & Logic) A complete sentence, or part of a sentence consisting of a subject and predicate united by a copula; a thought expressed or propounded in language; a form of speech in which a predicate is affirmed or denied of a subject; as, snow is white.

5. (Math.) A statement in terms of a truth to be demonstrated, or of an operation to be performed.

Note: It is called a theorem when it is something to be proved, and a problem when it is something to be done.

6. (Rhet.) That which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.

7. (Poetry) The part of a poem in which the author states the subject or matter of it.

Leaves of proposition (Jewish Antiq.), the showbread. --Wyclif (Luke vi. 4).

Syn: Proposal; offer; statement; declaration.

Usage: Proposition, Proposal. These words are both from the Latin verb proponere, to set forth, and as here compared they mark different forms or stages of a negotiation. A proposition is something presented for discussion or consideration; as, propositions of peace. A proposal is some definite thing offered by one party to be accepted or rejected by the other. If the proposition is favorably received, it is usually followed by proposals which complete the arrangement.

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