Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Propositio(u)n(e, Proposicio(u)n(e, n. Also: propossit-, propotit-, -yt- and -youn, -iounn. [ME and e.m.E. proposicion (Rolle), proposicioun, -picisioun (both Wyclif), -ition (1551), F. proposition (12th c. in Littré), L. prōpositiōn- a setting forth, purpose, theme, statement, n. of action f. prōpōnere Propone v.¹]

1. The action of presenting to view, exhibition.Only in tabil of propositione and braid of proposition (cf. ME looves of proposicioun (Wyclif)). 1549 Compl. 76/2.
He … reft the goldin alter … ande the tabil of propositione 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 396.
The sanctifiet braid of proposition

2. a. The setting forth of something as a subject of discourse; the ‘text’ of a sermon. b. A question proposed for solution; a problem or riddle.a. 1456 Hay II 41/31.
He suld pas to the kirk … thair … to here a preching, or a proposicioun langand the said materb. c1420 Wynt. iii 221.
Yhit had yhe noucht Fundyn my propositioune

3. The making of a statement about something; a statement; an assertion.Also, spec., something ‘proponed’ or stated before a court of law.(1) 1456 Hay I 276/1.
Than it is … dishonourable … syne to repent and gayncall his proposicioun 1490 Irland Mir. I 72/22.
This proposicioune is contingent … ȝit it may be sua that it be nocht trew Ib. II 16/7, etc.
In the sologisme demonstratiue and vthir proposiciouns ar conclusiouns and correleriis Ib. 94/13, 14.
He suld the opposite and contradictor of that proposicioun proponit to him consider and mak twa partis and proposiciouns contradictoris c1520-c1535 Nisbet III 345/18.
Proposiciounn 1549 Compl. 183/12.
Ane propositione or ane responce of ambiguite suld be ay interpreit and exponit to the best sens 1562-3 Winȝet I 139/17.
The maior … The minor … is … prouin. Quharefor to ȝour schame is my propositioun necessarlie inferrit 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii 469.
Bot now I will returne but din, And my first propositiounis preif a1578 Pitsc. II 60/9.
Propossitioun c1590 Fowler II 45/28.(2) 1498–9 Acta Conc. II 323.
Baith the sadis partiis being personaly present before us, thair proposicions, avisementis richtis, ressons and allegacions at lenth herd 1616 Crim. Trials III 411.
Citit … for confirmatioun of the propositioun of the dittay

b. A (grammatical) sentence. — 1549 Compl. 17/26.
Ther is baytht termis ande propositions in Lateen tong the quhilk vil be difficil to translait them

4. Something proposed as a plan of action; a proposal. 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 402.
Propositioun wes maid of befoir … how all the artailyearie … mycht be … put in dowbill equippage 1569 Ib. II 9.
Lord Boyd being removit and his propositioun put in deliberatioun amangis the Lordis of Secreit Counsall 1584 Acts III 333/2.
Quhilk propositioun being … ressonit be the … lordis of articles … thay … declaris that [etc.] 1586 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 161.
Propotytiouns 1586–7 Ib. 138.
Swm weraye raysonable propotityouns concernyng our negotiatyoun Ib. 163.
Propotytyouns 1607 Melvill 745.
The propositiounes, meines and middes to attein thairunto, are … painefully dressit and platit 1660 Rothesay B. Rec. 54.
Anent the propositioune proponet be Niniane Stewart