hysteron proteron

hysteron proteron Definition

hys·teron pro·te·ron (his′tər än′ prät′ər än′)

noun

a figure of speech in which the logical order of ideas is reversed (Ex.: “I die, I faint, I fail”)

Etymology: LL < Gr hysteron, neut. of hysteros, latter + proteron, neut. of proteros, earlier

Browse dictionary entries near hysteron proteron