Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Protasis
‖
Prot′a-sis
(prŏt′ȧ-sĭs)
, Noun.
[L., fr. Gr.
πρότασις
, fr. προτείνειν
to stretch before, forward; πρό
before + τείνειν
to stretch.] 1.
A proposition; a maxim.
Johnson.
2.
(Gram.)
The introductory or subordinate member of a sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; – opposed to
apodosis
. See Apodosis
. 3.
The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the introduction; opposed to
epitasis
. B. Jonson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Protasis
PRO'TASIS
,Noun.
1.
A proposition; a maxim.2.
In the ancient drama, the first part of a comic or tragic piece, in which the several persons are shown, their characters intimated, and the subject proposed and entered on. The protasis might extend to two acts, where it ended, and the epitasis commenced.