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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 )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteron proteron1

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

Origin of hysteron proteron1

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

Hysteron proteron—The last first, or the cart before the horse.

His only rule is that of hysteron proteron, or putting the cart before the horse.

Hysteron-proteron, his′ter-on-prot′er-on, n. a figure of speech in which what should follow comes first: an inversion.

We may observe that 'owe' and 'succeed' are legal terms, which here form a hysteron-proteron, like some other common phrases.

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hysteroidhysterotomy