propose

To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.

Noun

  1. An objective or aim.
    • whose aime hath beene to make us not good and wittie, but wise and learned; She hath attained her propose. - 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 17, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […]...

Origin

From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound.

Forms

proposes

Verb

  1. 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

    Synonyms: put forth suggest project forthput

  2. To ask for a person's hand in marriage.
    • He proposed to her last night and she accepted him.
    • After the death of his [Verney's] first wife, he proposed to Florence Nightingale but she refused him. Later he married her sister, and for many years Claydon was Miss Nightingale's second home. - 1960 March 5, N....
  3. To intend.
    • He proposes to set up his own business.
    • I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England. - 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, History of New England, Preface (Google preview):
    • Many of the proposed dams would be among the tallest in the world. - 2013 August 16, John Vidal, “Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 10, page 8:
  4. To talk; to converse.
    • HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour; There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice Proposing with the prince and Claudio - 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr....
  5. To set forth.
    • […]so weighty was the cup, That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up. - [1611?], Homer, “Book XI”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell...

Forms

proposes proposing proposed

Related

proponent proposition

Derived

counterpropose prompose proposable proposal proposee propose marriage proposement repropose unproposing