proposition
UK[ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃn]US[ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃn]
n
a statement or idea that people can consider or discuss to decide whether it is true.
n
a suggested course of action or a plan, especially in business or politics.
n
a formal statement of a mathematical or logical problem to be solved or demonstrated.
Morpheme Breakdown
pro
posit
ion
pro
forward
posit
place
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'proposition' originates from the latin 'propositio', a noun derived from the verb 'proponere', meaning 'to put forward, set forth, or declare'. 'Proponere' itself is a compound of 'pro-' (forward) and 'ponere' (to place). the core logic is one of presentation: literally 'a placing forward'. this evolved in english to denote an idea or statement that is 'put forward' for consideration, debate, or acceptance. in formal logic and mathematics, it retains this sense of a statement presented for formal evaluation or proof.
Analysis
Structure: pro (forward) + posit (place) + ion (noun suffix)
pro- (latin origin, prefix meaning 'forward, forth, in front of'); posit (latin origin, from the root of 'ponere' meaning 'to place'); -ion (latin origin, noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process, or its result).
Examples
his argument is based on a simple proposition.
they made him a business proposition he couldn't refuse.
the first proposition in euclid's elements is a construction problem.