Proposals on them were made in the past (5)

I believe the answer is:

knees

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'proposals' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for knees that I've seen before include "Legs' joints" , "Hinge joints" , "Lap" , "Leg joints" , "Hinged joints" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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