protasis

American  

[prot-uh-sis] / ˈprɒt ə sɪs /

noun

plural

protases

1. Grammar. the clause expressing the condition in a conditional sentence, in English usually beginning with if.

2. the first part of an ancient drama, in which the characters are introduced and the subject is proposed.

3. (in Aristotelian logic) a proposition, especially one used as a premise in a syllogism.

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protasis British  

/ ˈprɒtəsɪs, prɒˈtætɪk /

noun

1. logic grammar the antecedent of a conditional statement, such as it rains in if it rains the game will be cancelled Compare apodosis

2. (in classical drama) the introductory part of a play

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Other Word Forms

• protatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of protasis

First recorded in 1610–20; from Late Latin: “introduction in a drama,” from Greek prótasis “proposition,” literally, “a stretching forward,” equivalent to pro- pro- ² + tásis a stretching ( ta-, verbid stem of teínein “to stretch” + -sis -sis )

Example Sentences

“Here we catch a glimpse of the subjunctive in a conditional protasis shyly rising its timorous head above the narrative parapet.”

From The Guardian • Sep. 5, 2019

It consists of two parts, a protasis and an apodosis.

From The Simpkins Plot by Birmingham, George A.

Your protasis is not good Greek," observed the Centaur, "because in Hellas we did not make such reservations.

From Jurgen A Comedy of Justice by Cabell, James Branch

Lord Acton would have been unable to conceive the protasis.

From Letters of Lord Acton To Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone by Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron

Positing what protasis would the contraction for such several schemes become a natural and necessary apodosis?

From Ulysses by Joyce, James