protasis

The dependent clause of a conditional sentence, as if it rains in The game will be canceled if it rains.

The first part of an ancient Greek or Roman drama, in which the characters and subject are introduced.

A proposition; a maxim.

In grammar and rhetoric, the first clause of a conditional sentence, being the condition on which the main term (apodosis) depends, or notwithstanding which it takes place: as, if we run (protasis), we shall be in time (apodosis); although he was incompetent (protasis), he was elected (apodosis). see apodosis.

In the ancient drama, the first part of a play, in which the several persons are shown, their characters intimated, and the subject proposed and entered on: opposed to epitasis.

In ancient prosody, the first colon of a dicolic verse or period.

A proposition; a maxim.

The introductory or subordinate member of a sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; — opposed to apodosis. See Apodosis.

The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the introduction; opposed to epitasis.

the first part of a play, in which the setting and characters are introduced