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Webster 1913 Edition


Propose

Pro-pose′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Proposed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Proposing
.]
[F.
proposer
; pref.
pro-
(L.
pro
for, forward) +
poser
to place. See
Pose
,
Verb.
]
1.
To set forth.
[Obs.]
That being
proposed
brimfull of wine, one scarce could lift it up.
Chapman.
2.
To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption;
as, to
propose
terms of peace; to
propose
a question for discussion; to
propose
an alliance; to
propose
a person for office.
3.
To set before one’s self or others as a purpose formed; hence, to purpose; to intend.
I
propose
to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.
Palfrey.
To propose to one's self
,
to intend; to design.

Pro-pose′

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To speak; to converse.
[Obs.]
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice,
Proposing
with the prince and Claudio.
Shakespeare
2.
To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a scheme; to design;
as, man
proposes
, but God disposes
.
3.
To offer one's self in marriage.

Pro-pose′

,
Noun.
[F.
propos
, L.
propositum
. See
Propound
,
Purpose
,
Noun.
]
Talk; discourse.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Propose

PROPO'SE

,
Verb.
T.
s as z. [L. propono, proposui;]
1.
To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance or adoption; as, to propose a bill or resolve to a legislative body; to propose terms of peach; to propose a question or subject for discussion; to propose an alliance by treaty or marriage; to propose alterations or amendments in a law.
2.
To offer or present for consideration.
In learning any thing, as little as possible should be proposed to the mind at first.
To propose to one's self, to intend; to design; to form a design in the mind.

PROPO'SE

,
Verb.
I.
To lay schemes. [Not in use.]
[Propose is often used for purpose; as I propose to ride to New York to-morrow. Purpose and propose are different forms of the same word.]

Definition 2024


propose

propose

See also: proposé

English

Verb

propose (third-person singular simple present proposes, present participle proposing, simple past and past participle proposed)

  1. (transitive) To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.
    I propose going to see a film.
    to propose an alliance; to propose a question for discussion
  2. (intransitive, sometimes followed by to) To ask for a person's hand in marriage.
    He proposed to her last night and she accepted him.
  3. (transitive) To intend.
    He proposes to set up his own business.
  4. (obsolete) To talk; to converse.
  5. (obsolete) To set forth.
    • 1616, George Chapman (translator), Homer's Iliad, book 11:
      . . . so weighty was the cup,
      That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

Usage notes

  • In use 1. this is sometimes a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing).
  • In use 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.
  • For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs
  • Compared to to suggest, to propose is more deliberate and definite. To suggest is merely to mention, while to propose is to have a definite plan and intention.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

propose (plural proposes)

  1. (obsolete) An objective or aim.

Anagrams


French

Verb

propose

  1. first-person singular present indicative of proposer
  2. third-person singular present indicative of proposer
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of proposer
  4. third-person singular present subjunctive of proposer
  5. second-person singular imperative of proposer

Anagrams


Italian

Verb

propose

  1. third-person indicative past historic of proporre

Anagrams