Propose

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PROPOSED; p. pr. & vb. n. PROPOSING.] [Fr. proposer; L. proponere, from pro, before, forth, and ponere, to put.] 1. To set before or forth. That being proposed brim full of wine, one scarce could lift it up. Chapman. 2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; as, to propose a bill or resolve to a legislative body; to propose terms of peace; to propose a question for discussion; to propose an alliance by treaty or marriage; to propose alterations or amendments in a law. In learning any thing, as little as possible should be proposed to the mind at first. Watts. 3. To purpose; to intend; to declare a purpose or intention. [Recent.] I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England. Paley. To propose to one's self, to intend; to design; to form a design in the mind.

v. i. 1. To lay schemes; to intend. Run thee into the parlor; There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice, Proposing with the prince and Claudio. Shak. 2. To offer one's self in marriage.

n. [Fr. propos, Pr. prepaus; It. & Sp. propositio, Lat. propositum. See supra.] Talk; discourse. [Obs.] Shak.