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prop·o·si·tion (prŏpə-zĭshən)
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n.
1. A plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal.
2. A matter to be dealt with; a task: Finding affordable housing can be a difficult proposition.
3. An offer of a private bargain, especially a request for sexual relations.
4. A subject for discussion or analysis.
5. Logic
a. A statement that affirms or denies something.
b. The meaning expressed in such a statement, as opposed to the way it is expressed.
6. 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.]

propo·sition·al adj.
propo·sition·al·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.