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

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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 )

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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

It doubles itself in the middle of his life, reflects itself in another, repeats itself, protasis, epitasis, catastasis, catastrophe.

From Ulysses by James Joyce

To borrow a term from the Greek grammars, the protasis of the repartee is more troublesome than the apodosis.

From Without Prejudice by Israel Zangwill

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

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 Noah Webster

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