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To debate peevishly; to dispute. The sense of these propositions is very plain, though logicians might squabble a whole day whether they should rank them under negative or affirmative. I. Watts.

Asserting only a part of what is asserted in a related proposition. Subaltern genus. (Logic) See under Genus.

A universal proposition. See Subaltern, 2. Whately.

A particular proposition, as opposed to a universal one. See Subaltern, 2.

A subcontrary proposition; a proposition inferior or contrary in a lower degree.

That of which anything is affirmed or predicated; the theme of a proposition or discourse; that which is spoken of; as, the nominative case is the subject of the verb. The subject of a proposition is that concerning which anything is affirmed or denied. I. Watts.

versy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court; -- often followed by a dependent proposition as the object. Whether the condition of the clergy be able to bear a heavy burden, is submitted to the house. Swift. We submit that a wooden spoon of our day would not be justified in calling Galileo and Napier blockhe…

nition) under another as belonging to it; to include under something else. To subsume one proposition under another. De Quincey. A principle under which one might subsume men's most strenuous efforts after righteousness. W. Pater.

; similar; as, we never saw such a day; -- followed by that or as introducing the word or proposition which defines the similarity, or the standard of comparison; as, the books are not such that I can recommend them, or, not such as I can recommend; these apples are not such as those we saw yesterday; give your childre…

corroborate or confirm; to be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition.

The regular logical form of every argument, consisting of three propositions, of which the first two are called the premises, and the last, the conclusion. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises; so that, if these are true, the conclusion must be true, and the argument amounts to demonstration;…

e, or approximately the same, idea. -- Syn*on"y*mous*ly, adv. These words consist of two propositions, which are not distinct in sense, but one and the same thing variously expressed; for wisdom and understanding are synonymous words here. Tillotson.

ught into a whole, as of simple into complex conceptions, species into genera, individual propositions into systems; -- the opposite of Ant: analysis. Analysis and synthesis, though commonly treated as two different methods, are, if properly understood, only the two necessary parts of the same method. Each is the relat…

o receive into the mind or understanding. "Some bright genius can take in a long train of propositions." I. Watts. (h) To receive regularly, as a periodical work or newspaper; to take. [Eng.] -- To take in hand. See under Hand. -- To take in vain, to employ or utter as in an oath. "Thou shalt not take the name of the…

The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice. The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes. Sir W. Hamilton.

A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks; a proposition for discussion or argument; a text. My theme is alway one and ever was. Chaucer. And when a soldier was the theme, my name Was not far off. Shak.

A little or subordinate thesis; a proposition.

A position or proposition which a person advances and offers to maintain, or which is actually maintained by argument.

Hence, to be in opposition; to clash. [R.] Any proposition . . . that shall at all thwart with internal oracles. Locke.

Tithe commissioner, one of a board of officers appointed by the government for arranging propositions for commuting, or compounding for, tithes. [Eng.] Simmonds.