Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » hysteron proteron

hysteron proteron

(his′tər än′ prät′ər än′)

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

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

See hysteron proteron in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A figure of speech in which the natural or rational order of its terms is reversed, as in bred and born instead of born and bred.
The logical fallacy of assuming as true and using as a premise a proposition that is yet to be proved.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin

Origin: , from Greek husteron proteron, latter first

Origin: : husteron

Origin: , neuter sing. of husteros, latter, later; see ud- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + proteron

Origin: , neuter sing. of proteros, former; see per¹ in Indo-European roots

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD