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 /

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

Nouns

• 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

See Examples For:

protasis

“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

Can a Hypothetical, whose protasis is false, be legitimate?

From Gilbert Keith Chesterton by Maisie Ward

In a long conditional sentence put the "if-clause," antecedent, or protasis, first.

From How to Write Clearly Rules and Exercises on English Composition by Edwin Abbott Abbott

Apparently guileless, my brother-in-law's protasis was nothing less than a deliberate direction to me to postpone Mr. Dunkelsbaum's arrival at Brooch until Merry Down was no longer in the market.

From Berry And Co. by Dornford Yates

Such a protasis robbed the bet of its savour.

From Jonah and Co. by Dornford Yates