I. Open in front, not covered up, open, uncovered (class.): “in aperto ac propatulo loco,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 49, § 110.—More freq.,
II. Subst.: prōpătŭlum , i, n., an open or uncovered place.
A. In phrase in propatulo (class.): in propatulo ac silvestribus locis, in the open air (opp.: domi sub tecto), Cic. Fragm. ap. Col. 12, 1: in propatulo aedium, in the open court, Liv 24, 16, 17.—Trop.: in propatulo, publicly (not in Cic. or Cæs.): “pudicitiam in propatulo habere,” offer it publicly, expose it to sale, Sall. C. 13, 3: “in propatulo esse,” Gell. 18, 10, 8 (with in promptu); cf. id. 19, 14, 2; App. Mag. p. 284, 26: “statuas in propatulo abicit,” Nep. Hann. 9, 3.—