释义 |
prop·o·si·tion 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 > |