‖n. [ L., fr. Gr. pro`tasis, fr. protei`nein to stretch before, forward; pro` before + tei`nein to stretch. ] 1. A proposition; a maxim. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gram.) The introductory or subordinate member of a sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; -- opposed to apodosis. See Apodosis. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the introduction; opposed to epitasis. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]