protasis

UK: /ˈprɒtəsɪs/ US: (prot′ə sis)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prot•a•sis  (prot′ə sis), n., pl. -ses 

(-sēz′). 
1. Grammar the clause expressing the condition in a conditional sentence, in English usually beginning with if. Cf. apodosis. 
2. Literature the first part of an ancient drama, in which the characters are introduced and the subject is proposed. Cf. catastasis, catastrophe (def. 4), epitasis. 
3. Philosophy (in Aristotelian logic) a proposition, esp. one used as a premise in a syllogism.

• Greek prótasis proposition, literally, a stretching forward, equivalent. to pro- pro-² + tásis a stretching (ta-, verbid stem of teínein to stretch + -sis -sis)
• Late Latin: introduction in a drama
• 1610–20

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

protasis / ˈprɒtəsɪs/ noun ( -ses / -siːz/)

1. the antecedent of a conditional statement, such as if it rains in if it rains, the game will be cancelled
   Compare apodosis
2. (in classical drama) the introductory part of a play

Etymology: 17th Century: via Latin from Greek: a proposal, from pro- before + teinein to extend

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ca•tas•ta•sis  (kə tas′tə sis), n., pl. -ses 

(-sēz′). 
1. Literature the part of a drama, preceding the catastrophe, in which the action is at its height;
   the climax of a play. Cf. catastrophe (def. 4), epitasis, protasis. 

• Greek katástasis stability, akin to kathistánai to make stand, settle. See cata-, stasis
• 1650–60

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•pit•a•sis  (i pit′ə sis), n., pl. -ses 

(-sēz′). 
1. Show Business, Literature the part of an ancient drama, following the protasis, in which the main action is developed. Cf. catastasis, catastrophe (def. 4), protasis. 

• Greek epítasis emphasis, increase of intensity, stretching, equivalent. to epi- epi- + ta- (variant stem of teínein to stretch) + -sis -sis
• 1580–90