Etymologically
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propose

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /prəˈpəʊz/, US /prəˈpoʊz/[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Old French proposer (“to propose, suggest”) (12th century),[2][3][4] from pro-, forth, and poser, to put, place (see pose),[2][3] a French formation replacing Latin prōpōnere, to put forward, influenced by its perfect stem prōpos-.[2][5][6] Latin prōpōnere also gave obsolete English propone, which coexisted for a time with propose, and propound.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

To put forward a scheme or form an intention: 1340, in the Ayenbite of Inwyt.[2] The OED's verb quotations begin in about 1430.[7]

Semantic evolution

To put forward for consideration is from before 1398, in Trevisa.[2] To set before the mind as something expected is from 1588.[7] The sense to make an offer of marriage is attested by 1764.[3] Proposal is from 1653,[2] and proposition from about 1340.[2]

Timeline

  • 1340 – to form an intention.[2]
  • before 1398 – to put forward for consideration.[2]
  • 1653 – proposal.[2]
  • 1764 – to propose marriage.[3]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To put forward a plan or idea for consideration; to suggest.
  2. To intend: I propose to leave now.
  3. To nominate someone for a position.
  4. To offer a toast.
  5. To make an offer of marriage.

Word family

  • proposer
  • proposable
  • repropose
  • unproposing
  • proposal

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press