πρόβλημα

A. anything thrown forward or projecting, πόντου π. ἁλίκλυστον sea-washed promontory, S. Aj. 1219 (lyr.).

2. hindrance, obstacle, Hp. Nat.Mul. 67, Mul. 1.20, Ael. NA 2.13.

II. anything put before one as a defence, bulwark, barrier, προβλήματα ἀντ’ ἀσπίδων ἐποιεῦντο γεράνων δοράς Hdt. 7.70, cf.4.175; τῶν . . π. τὰ μὲν πρὸς τὸν πόλεμον ὁπλίσματα, τὰ δὲ φράγματα Pl. Plt. 279d sq., cf. Sph. 261a; σώματος π., of a shield, A. Th. 540; νεῶν προβλήματα, of a wall, E. Rh. 213; χαλκᾶ προβλήματα the brazen armour of horses, X. Cyr. 6.1.51.

2. c.gen. objecti, defence against a thing, αἰχμῆς καὶ πέτρων A. Th. 676; χείματος προβλήματα E. Supp. 208; π. χειμώνων Pl. Ti. 74b; π. κακῶν Ar. V. 615; κρύους π. ποιοῦνται τὴν ἐσθῆτα Plu. 2.691d; but,

3. μηδὲν φόβου π. μηδ’ αἰδοῦς ἔχειν to have neither fear nor reverence as a defence, S. Aj. 1076; τὸν ποταμὸν π. λαβεῖν, ποιήσασθαι, Plb. 2.66.1, 3.14.5.

III. anything put forward as an excuse, π. τοῦ τρόπου D. 45.69; λαβὼν π. σαυτοῦ παῖδα making a screen of him, S. Ph. 1008.

IV. task. business, E. El. 985, Gal. 11.250.

2. problem in Geometry, etc., Pl. R. 530b, Tht. 180csq., Plu. Marc. 14, 19, etc.; φυσικὰ π. Epicur. Ep. 2p.36U.; οἱ κατὰ πρόβλημα λόγοι (opp. τὰ ἐν τῷ βίῳ) theoretical, Phld. Lib. p.59 O.

3. in the Logic of Arist., question as to whether a statement is so or not, Arist. Top. 101b28, cf. 104b1: τὰ π. title of work by Arist., cf. Mete. 363a24, PA 676a18, GA 747b5, cf. προβληματικός; also of the extant work wrongly ascribed to Arist.

4. practical or theoretical problem, εἰς π. παμμέγεθες ἐνέπεσε Plb. 28.13.9; εὕροντο λύσιν τοῦ π. Id. 30.19.5; ἐν προβλήμασιν ἢ κρίνομεν ἢ βουλευόμεθα Hermog. Inv. 1.1.

5. riddle, π. προβάλλειν LXX Jd. 14.12.