Lewis & Short

prōpŏsĭtĭo, ōnis, f. [propono].

  1. I. A setting forth or proposing, a representation.
    1. A. (Mental; class.) Vitae, Cic. Tusc. 3, 18, 39: rerum magnarum cum animi amplā quādam propositione cogitatio, Cic. Inv. 2, 54, 163.
    2. B. (In words.) Sunt quaedam tam breves causae, ut propositionem potius habeant quam narrationem, Quint. 4, 2, 4; cf. Dig. 2, 1, 7, § 2.
  2. II. A design, purpose, resolution, determination: propositio animi, Dig. 50, 16, 225.
  3. III. In logic, the first proposition of a syllogism (class.): propositio est, per quem locus is breviter exponitur, ex quo vis omnis oportet emanet ratiocinationis, Cic. Inv. 1, 37, 67; 1, 34, 35; Auct. Her. 2, 18, 28.
    1. B. Transf.
      1. 1. A principal subject, theme (class.), Cic. de Or. 3, 53; Sen. Ben. 6, 7, 1; Quint. 5, 14, 1.
      2. 2. Still more generally, a proposition of any kind (post-Aug.), Quint. 7, 1, 47, § 9; Gell. 2, 7, 21.
  4. IV. In jurid. lang., a statement of a question of law; a case submitted for legal opinion, Dig. 16, 1, 19, § 1; 36, 4, 6.
  5. V. Esp. in bibl. lang., a setting forth for public view: panes propositionis, Vulg. Exod. 25, 30; id. Marc. 2, 26 et saep.