Chapter 80

Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences.

-- Pro*pi"tious*ly, adv. -- Pro*pi"tious*ness, n.

Pro"plasm (?), n. [L. proplasma, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a thing formed, fr. &?; to mold.] A mold; a matrix. [R.] Woodward.

Pro*plas"tic (?), a. Forming a mold.

Pro*plas"tics (?), n. The art of making molds for castings. [R.]

Prop"leg` (?), n. [So called because it props up or supports the body.] (Zoˆl.) Same as Proleg.

Pro*po"di*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the propodialia, or the parts of the limbs to which they belong.

||Pro*po`di*a"le (?), n.; pl. Propodialia. (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; ||before + &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, foot.] (Anat.) The bone of either the ||upper arm or the thing, the propodialia being the humerus and femur.

Prop"o*dite (?), n. [Pref. pro- + Gr. &?;, &?;, foot.] (Zoˆl.) The sixth joint of a typical leg of a crustacean; usually, the penultimate joint.

||Pro*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. Propodia (#). [NL. See Propodiale.] (Zoˆl.) ||(a) The anterior portion of the foot of a mollusk. (b) The segment ||which forms the posterior part of the thorax of a hymenopterous ||insect. [Written also propodeum.]

Pro"po*lis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; city.] Same as Bee glue, under Bee.

Pro*pone" (?), v. t. [L. proponere to propose. See Propound.] To propose; to bring forward.

Pro*po"nent (?), a. [L. proponens, p. pr.] Making proposals; proposing.

Pro*po"nent, n.

1. One who makes a proposal, or lays down a proposition. Dryden.

2. (Law) The propounder of a thing.

Pro*por"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. proportio; pro before + portio part or share. See Portion.]

1. The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body.

The image of Christ, made after his own proportion.

Ridley.

Formed in the best proportions of her sex.

Sir W. Scott.

Documents are authentic and facts are true precisely in proportion to the support which they afford to his theory.

Macaulay.

2. Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion. "Let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith." Rom. xii. 6.

3. The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot.

Let the women . . . do the same things in their proportions and capacities.

Jer. Taylor.

4. A part considered comparatively; a share.

5. (Math.) (a) The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; -- called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth.

Proportion in the mathematical sense differs from ratio. Ratio is the relation of two quantities of the same kind, as the ratio of 5 to 10, or the ratio of 8 to 16. Proportion is the sameness or likeness of two such relations. Thus, 5 to 10 as 8 to 16; that is, 5 bears the same relation to 10 as 8 does to 16. Hence, such numbers are said to be in proportion. Proportion is expressed by symbols thus:

a:b::c:d, or a:b = c:d, or a/b = c/d.

(b) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional.

Continued proportion, Inverse proportion, etc. See under Continued, Inverse, etc. -- Harmonical, or Musical, proportion, a relation of three or four quantities, such that the first is to the last as the difference between the first two is to the difference between the last two; thus, 2, 3, 6, are in harmonical proportion; for 2 is to 6 as 1 to 3. Thus, 24, 16, 12, 9, are harmonical, for 24:9::8:3. -- In proportion, according as; to the degree that. "In proportion as they are metaphysically true, they are morally and politically false." Burke.

Pro*por"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proportioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proportioning.] [Cf. F. proportionner. Cf. Proportionate, v.] 1. To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income.

In the loss of an object we do not proportion our grief to the real value . . . but to the value our fancies set upon it.

Addison.

2. To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body.

Nature had proportioned her without any fault.

Sir P. Sidney.

3. To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.

Pro*por"tion*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being proportioned, or made proportional; also, proportional; proportionate. -- Pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness, n.

But eloquence may exist without a proportionable degree of wisdom.

Burke.

Proportionable, which is no longer much favored, was of our [i. e., English writers'] own coining.

Fitzed. Hall.

Pro*por"tion*a*bly, adv. Proportionally. Locke.

Pro*por"tion*al (?), a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel.] 1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice are proportional. Milton.

2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. Hutton.

3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is proportional to quantity of matter.

Proportional logarithms, logistic logarithms. See under Logistic. -- Proportional scale, a scale on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale. -- Proportional scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale.

Pro*por"tion*al, n. 1. (Math.) Any number or quantity in a proportion; as, a mean proportional.

2. (Chem.) The combining weight or equivalent of an element. [Obs.]

Pro*por`tion*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. proportionnalitÈ.] The state of being in proportion. Coleridge.

Pro*por"tion*al*ly (?), adv. In proportion; in due degree; adapted relatively; as, all parts of the building are proportionally large. Sir I. Newton.

Pro*por"tion*ate (?), a. [L. proportionatus. See Proportion.] Adjusted to something else according to a proportion; proportional. Longfellow.

What is proportionate to his transgression.

Locke.

Pro*por"tion*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proportionated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proportionating.] [Cf. Proportion, v.] To make proportional; to adjust according to a settled rate, or to due comparative relation; to proportion; as, to proportionate punishment to crimes.

Pro*por"tion*ate*ly (&?;), adv. In a proportionate manner; with due proportion; proportionally.

Pro*por"tion*ate*ness, n. The quality or state of being proportionate. Sir M. Hale.

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Pro*por"tion*less (?), a. Without proportion; unsymmetrical.

Pro*por"tion*ment (?), n. The act or process of dividing out proportionally.

Pro*pos"al (?), n. [From Propose.] 1. That which is proposed, or propounded for consideration or acceptance; a scheme or design; terms or conditions proposed; offer; as, to make proposals for a treaty of peace; to offer proposals for erecting a building; to make proposals of marriage. "To put forth proposals for a book." Macaulay.

2. (Law) The offer by a party of what he has in view as to an intended business transaction, which, with acceptance, constitutes a contract.

Syn. -- Proffer; tender; overture. See Proposition.

Pro*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proposing.] [F. proposer; pref. pro- (L. pro for, forward) + poser to place. See Pose, v.] 1. To set forth. [Obs.]

That being proposed brimfull of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

Chapman.

2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to propose a person for office.

3. To set before one's self or others as a purpose formed; hence, to purpose; to intend.

I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.

Palfrey.

To propose to one's self, to intend; to design.

Pro*pose", v. i. 1. To speak; to converse. [Obs.]

There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice, Proposing with the prince and Claudio.

Shak.

2. To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a scheme; to design; as, man proposes, but God disposes.

3. To offer one's self in marriage.

Pro*pose", n. [F. propos, L. propositum. See Propound, Purpose, n.] Talk; discourse. [Obs.] Shak.

Pro*pos"er (?), n. 1. One who proposes or offers anything for consideration or adoption.

2. A speaker; an orator. [Obs.] Shak.

Prop`o*si"tion (?), n. [L. propositio: cf. F. proposition. See Propound.] 1. The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering. "Oblations for the altar of proposition." Jer. Taylor.

2. That which is proposed; that which is offered, as for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; a proposal; as, the enemy made propositions of peace; his proposition was not accepted.

3. A statement of religious doctrine; an article of faith; creed; as, the propositions of Wyclif and Huss.

Some persons . . . change their propositions according as their temporal necessities or advantages do turn.

Jer. Taylor.

4. (Gram. & Logic) A complete sentence, or part of a sentence consisting of a subject and predicate united by a copula; a thought expressed or propounded in language; a from of speech in which a predicate is affirmed or denied of a subject; as, snow is white.

5. (Math.) A statement in terms of a truth to be demonstrated, or of an operation to be performed.

It is called a theorem when it is something to be proved, and a problem when it is something to be done.

6. (Rhet.) That which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.

7. (Poetry) The part of a poem in which the author states the subject or matter of it.

Leaves of proposition (Jewish Antiq.), the showbread. Wyclif (Luke vi. 4).

Syn. -- Proposal; offer; statement; declaration. -- Proposition, Proposal. These words are both from the Latin verb proponere, to set forth, and as here compared they mark different forms or stages of a negotiation. A proposition is something presented for discussion or consideration; as, propositions of peace. A proposal is some definite thing offered by one party to be accepted or rejected by the other. If the proposition is favorably received, it is usually followed by proposals which complete the arrangement.

Prop`o*si"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or in the nature of, a proposition; considered as a proposition; as, a propositional sense. I. Watts.

Pro*pound" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Propounding.] [From earlier propone, L. proponere, propositum, to set forth, propose, propound; pro for, before + ponere to put. See Position, and cf. Provost.] 1. To offer for consideration; to exhibit; to propose; as, to propound a question; to propound an argument. Shak.

And darest thou to the Son of God propound To worship thee, accursed?

Milton.

It is strange folly to set ourselves no mark, to propound no end, in the hearing of the gospel.

Coleridge.

2. (Eccl.) To propose or name as a candidate for admission to communion with a church.

Pro*pound"er (?), n. One who propounds, proposes, or offers for consideration. Chillingworth.

Pro*pre"tor (?), n. [L. propraetor; pro for, before + praetor a pretor.] (Rom. Antiq.) A magistrate who, having been pretor at home, was appointed to the government of a province. [Written also proprÊtor.]

Pro*pri"e*ta*ry (?), n.; pl. Proprietaries (#). [L. proprietarius: cf. F. propriÈtaire. See Propriety, and cf. Proprietor.] 1. A proprietor or owner; one who has exclusive title to a thing; one who possesses, or holds the title to, a thing in his own right. Fuller.

2. A body proprietors, taken collectively.

3. (Eccl.) A monk who had reserved goods and effects to himself, notwithstanding his renunciation of all at the time of profession.

Pro*pri"e*ta*ry, a. [L. proprietarius.] Belonging, or pertaining, to a proprietor; considered as property; owned; as, proprietary medicine.

Proprietary articles, manufactured articles which some person or persons have exclusive right to make and sell. U. S. Statutes.

Pro*pri"e*tor (?), n. [For older proprietary: cf. F. propriÈtarie.] One who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything, whether in possession or not; an owner; as, the proprietor of farm or of a mill.

Pro*pri`e*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to ownership; proprietary; as, proprietorial rights.

Pro*pri"e*tor*ship (?), n. The state of being proprietor; ownership.

Pro*pri"e*tress (?), n. A female proprietor.

Pro*pri"e*ty (?), n.; pl. Proprieties (#). [F. propriÈtÈ, L. proprietas, fr. proprius one's own, proper. See Property, Proper.] 1. Individual right to hold property; ownership by personal title; property. [Obs.] "Onles this propriety be exiled." Robynson (More's Utopia).

So are the proprieties of a wife to be disposed of by her lord, and yet all are for her provisions, it being a part of his need to refresh and supply hers.

Jer. Taylor.

2. That which is proper or peculiar; an inherent property or quality; peculiarity. [Obs.] Bacon.

We find no mention hereof in ancient zoˆgraphers, . . . who seldom forget proprieties of such a nature.

Sir T. Browne.

3. The quality or state of being proper; suitableness to an acknowledged or correct standard or rule; consonance with established principles, rules, or customs; fitness; appropriateness; as, propriety of behavior, language, manners, etc. "The rule of propriety," Locke.

Pro*proc"tor (?), n. [Pref. pro- + proctor.] [Eng. Univ.] A assistant proctor. Hook.

Props (?), n. pl. A game of chance, in which four sea shells, each called a prop, are used instead of dice.

||Prop`te*ryg"i*um (?), n.; pl. Propterygia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; ||before + &?; a fin.] (Anat.) The anterior of three principal ||cartilages in the fins of some fishes. -- Prop`ter*yg"i*al (#), a.

Pro*pugn" (?), v. t. [L. propugnare; pro for + pugnare to fight.] To contend for; to defend; to vindicate. [Obs.] Hammond.

Pro*pug"na*cle (?), n. [L. propugnaculum.] A fortress. [Obs.] Howell.

Pro`pug*na"tion (?), n. [L. propugnatio.] Means of defense; defense. [Obs.] Shak.

Pro*pugn"er (?), n. A defender; a vindicator. "Zealous propugners." Gov. of Tongue.

Pro`pul*sa"tion (?), n. [L. propulsatio. See Propulse.] The act of driving away or repelling; a keeping at a distance. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pro*pulse" (?), v. t. [L. propulsare, v. intens. from propellere to propel. See Propel.] To repel; to drive off or away. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

Pro*pul"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. propulsion. See Propel.] 1. The act driving forward or away; the act or process of propelling; as, steam propulsion.

2. An impelling act or movement.

God works in all things; all obey His first propulsion.

Whittier.

Pro*pul"sive (?), a. Tending, or having power, to propel; driving on; urging. "[The] propulsive movement of the verse." Coleridge.

Pro*pul"so*ry (?), a. Propulsive.

Pro"pyl (?), n. [Propionic + - yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical C3H7, regarded as the essential residue of propane and related compounds.

||Prop`y*lÊ"um (?), n.; pl. PropylÊa (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before ||+ &?; a gate.] (Anc. Classical Arch.) Any court or vestibule before a ||building or leading into any inclosure.

Pro"pyl*ene (?), n. [Cf. F. propylËne.] (Chem.) A colorless gaseous hydrocarbon (C3H6) of the ethylene series, having a garlic odor. It occurs in coal gas, and is produced artificially in various ways. Called also propene.

Pro*pyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, propyl; as, propylic alcohol.

Pro*pyl"i*dene (?), n. (Chem.) See Propidene.

||Prop"y*lon, n.; pl. Propyla (#). [NL., from Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; ||a gate.] (Anc. Arch.) The porch, vestibule, or entrance of an ||edifice.

||Pro` ra"ta (?). [L.] In proportion; proportionately; according to the ||share, interest, or liability of each.

Pro*rat"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prorated, or divided proportionately. [U.S.]

Pro*rate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prorating.] [From L. pro rata (sc. parte) according to a certain part, in proportion.] To divide or distribute proportionally; to assess pro rata. [U.S.]

Prore (?), n. [L. prora, Gr. &?;: cf. It. & Sp. prora. See Prow, n.] The prow or fore part of a ship. [Poetic] "Galleys with vermilion prores." Pope.

Pro*rec"tor (?), n. [NL. See Pro- , and Rector.] An officer who presides over the academic senate of a German university. Heyse.

Pro*rec"tor*ate (?), n. The office of prorector.

Pro*re"nal (?), a. [Pref. pro- + renal.] (Anat.) Pronephric.

Pro*rep"tion (?), n. [L. prorepere, proreptum, to creep forth; pro + repere.] A creeping on.

Pro*rhi"nal (?), a. [Pref. pro- + rhinal.] (Anat.) Situated in front of the nasal chambers.

Pro"ro*gate (?), v. t. To prorogue. [R.]

Pro`ro*ga"tion (?), n. [L. prorogatio: cf. F. prorogation.] 1. The act of counting in duration; prolongation. [Obs.] South.

2. The act of proroguing; the ending of the session of Parliament, and postponing of its business, by the command of the sovereign. [Eng.]

After an adjournment all things continue as they were at the adjournment; whereas, after a prorogation, bill introduced and nut passed are as if they had never been begun at all. Mozley & W.

Pro*rogue" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prorogued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proroguing (?).] [F. proroger, L. prorogare, prorogatum; pro forward + rogare to ask, to ask one for his opinion or vote, or about a law. See Rogation.] 1. To protract; to prolong; to extend. [Obs.]

He prorogued his government.

Dryden.

2. To defer; to delay; to postpone; as, to proroguedeath; to prorogue a marriage. Shak.

3. To end the session of a parliament by an order of the sovereign, thus deferring its business.

Parliament was prorogued to [meet at] Westminster.

Bp. Hall.

The Parliament was again prorogued to a distant day.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- To adjourn; postpone; defer. See Adjourn.

Pro*rup"tion (?), n. [L. proruptio, fr. prorumpere, proruptum, to break forth; pro forth + rumpere to break.] The act or state of bursting forth; a bursting out. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

{ Pro*sa"ic (?), Pro*sa"ic*al (?), } a. [L. prosaius, from prosa prose: cf. F,. prosaÔque. See Prose.] 1. Of or pertaining to prose; resembling prose; in the form of prose; unpoetical; writing or using prose; as, a prosaic composition. Cudworth.

2. Dull; uninteresting; commonplace; unimaginative; prosy; as, a prosaic person. Ed. Rev.

-- Pro*sa"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Pro*sa"ic*al*ness, n.

Pro*sa"i*cism (?), n. The quality or state of being prosaic; a prosaic manner or style. [R.] Poe.

Pro"sa*ism (?), n. That which is in the form of prose writing; a prosaic manner. Coleridge.

Pro"sa*ist (?; 277), n. A writer of prose; an unpoetical writer. "An estimable prosaist." I. Taylor.

Pro"sal (?), a. Of or pertaining to prose; prosaic. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Pro*sce"ni*um (?), n.; pl. Proscenia (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a tent, a wooden stage, the stage. See Scene.] 1. (Anc. Theater) The part where the actors performed; the stage.

2. (Modern Theater) The part of the stage in front of the curtain; sometimes, the curtain and its framework.

||Pro*sco"lex (?), n.; pl. Proscolices (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before + ||&?;, &?;, a worm.] (Zoˆl.) An early larval form of a trematode worm; ||a redia. See Redia.

Pro*scribe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proscribed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proscribing.] [L. proscribere, proscriptum, to write before, to publish, proscribe; pro before + scribere to write. See Scribe. The sense of this word originated in the Roman practice of writing the names of persons doomed to death, and posting the list in public.] 1. To doom to destruction; to put out of the protection of law; to outlaw; to exile; as, Sylla and Marius proscribed each other's adherents.

Robert Vere, Earl of Oxford, . . . was banished the realm, and proscribed.

Spenser.

2. To denounce and condemn; to interdict; to prohibit; as, the Puritans proscribed theaters.

The Arian doctrines were proscribed and anathematized in the famous Council of Nice.

Waterland.

Pro*scrib"er (?), n. One who, or that which, proscribes, denounces, or prohibits.

Pro"script (?), n. [See Proscribe.] 1. A proscription; a prohibition; an interdict. [R.]

2. One who is proscribed. [R.]

Pro*scrip"tion (?), n. [L. proscriptio: cf. F. proscription.] 1. The act of proscribing; a dooming to death or exile; outlawry; specifically, among the ancient Romans, the public offer of a reward for the head of a political enemy; as, under the triumvirate, many of the best Roman citizens fell by proscription.

Every victory by either party had been followed by a sanguinary proscription.

Macaulay.

2. The state of being proscribed; denunciation; interdiction; prohibition. Macaulay.

Pro*scrip"tion*al (?), a. Proscriptive.

Pro*scrip"tion*ist, n. One who proscribes.

Pro*scrip"tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to proscription; consisting in, or of the nature of, proscription; proscribing. Burke. -- Pro*scrip"tive*ly, adv.

Prose (?), n. [F. prose, L. prosa, fr. prorsus, prosus, straight forward, straight on, for proversus; pro forward + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.] 1. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; -- contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition.

I speak in prose, and let him rymes make.

Chaucer.

Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.

Milton.

I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry, that is; prose -- words in their best order; poetry -- the best order.

Coleridge.

2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.

Prose, a. 1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.

2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.

Prose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prosing.] 1. To write in prose.

2. To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.

Prose, v. i. 1. To write prose.

Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter.

Milton.

Pro*sec"tor (?), n. [L., an anatomist, from prosecare to cut up; pro before + secare to cut.] One who makes dissections for anatomical illustration; usually, the assistant of a professional anatomist.

Pros"e*cu`ta*ble (?), a. Capable of being prosecuted; liable to prosecution.

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Pros"e*cute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosecuted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prosecuting.] [L. prosecutus, p. p. of prosequi to follow, pursue. See Pursue.]

1. To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim.

I am beloved Hermia; Why should not I, then, prosecute my right ?

Shak.

2. To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law.