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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg