Propound: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'propoundere', which means 'to put forth or propose'.
• In English, it started being used in the late 14th century, initially meaning to set forth plans or ideas.
• Over the years, it has retained a formal tone, often used in academic or serious discussions.

Academic Usage

• In academic contexts, to propound a theory means to formally suggest it for discussion or testing.
• Scholars often propound their ideas during conferences or in publications to invite critique and advancement.
• The act of propounding is crucial in developing new hypotheses in scientific research.

Legal Context

• In legal settings, one might propound questions during a deposition to elicit information.
• To propound a legal argument means to present it thoughtfully in court proceedings.
• Judges often consider the arguments propounded by lawyers when making decisions.

Literary Significance

• Authors often propound philosophical ideas through their characters and narratives, provoking thought.
• In literature, the technique of propounding is used to explore themes deeply through dialogue and monologues.
• Classic works frequently showcase characters who propound ethical dilemmas for readers to ponder.

Philosophy

• Philosophers regularly propound concepts to challenge existing beliefs and stimulate critical thinking.
• The process of propounding ideas in philosophical discourse encourages debate and exploration of different viewpoints.
• Throughout history, many influential theories were propounded by thinkers who changed the course of intellectual thought.

At rank #25,523, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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