protasis

American  

[prot-uh-sis] / ˈprɒt ə sɪs /

noun

protases plural

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

Derived Forms

• protatic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• protases
  plural

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

The protasis in Conditional Sentences of this type always remains unchanged.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

I will: for the end of the protasis lies yet some way off.

From From a Cornish Window A New Edition by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

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

The consequent clause or conclusion in a conditional sentence, expressing the result, and thus distinguished from the protasis or clause which expresses a condition.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah