hysteron proteron

[his-tuh-ron prot-uh-ron]

noun

Rhetoric.

1. a figure of speech in which the logical order of two elements in discourse is reversed, as in “bred and born” for “born and bred.”

hysteron proteron

/ ˈhɪstəˌrɒn ˈprɒtəˌrɒn /

noun

1. logic a fallacious argument in which the proposition to be proved is assumed as a premise

2. rhetoric a figure of speech in which the normal order of two sentences, clauses, etc, is reversed, as in bred and born ( for born and bred )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteron proteron¹

1555–65; < Late Latin < Greek hýsteron (neuter of hýsteros ) latter + próteron (neuter of próteros ) former

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteron proteron¹

C16: from Late Latin, from Greek husteron proteron the latter (placed as) former