proposition
/ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
propositio — a statement, design, or purpose
Overview
Meaning Now
- A statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion.
- A suggested plan or scheme, especially in a business context.
- A formal proposal, particularly one involving an offer of sexual relations.
Literal older meaning
a putting forward
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
proposicioun
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term entered the English language during the 14th century, heavily influenced by scholastic logic and rhetoric, where it specifically referred to the first part of a syllogism or a formal logical statement.
Evolution
- Latin
proponere
“to set forth or propose”
from pro- 'before' + ponere 'to put'
- Latin
propositio
“a setting forth or proposition”
- Old French
proposition
“assertion, statement”
- Middle English
proposicioun
“statement, thesis”
Connections
Word parts
pro-
prefix
forward, before
posit-
root
to put, place
-ion
suffix
suffix forming nouns of action
Related across languages
French
proposal, proposition
Spanish
proposición
proposition, proposal
Explore next
Related to proposition
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.