prolepsis
[ proh-lep-sis ]
/ proʊˈlɛp sɪs /
Save This Word!
noun, plural pro·lep·ses [proh-lep-seez]. /proʊˈlɛp siz/.
Rhetoric. the anticipation of possible objections in order to answer them in advance.
the assigning of a person, event, etc., to a period earlier than the actual one; the representation of something in the future as if it already existed or had occurred; prochronism.
the use of a descriptive word in anticipation of its becoming applicable.
a fundamental conception or assumption in Epicureanism or Stoicism arising spontaneously in the mind without conscious reflection; thought provoked by sense perception.
Pathology. the return of an attack of a periodic disease or of a paroxysm before the expected time or at progressively shorter intervals.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE 12 TYPES OF VERB TENSES!
Loosen up your grammar muscles because it’s time to test your knowledge on verb tenses!
Question 1 of 6
The verb tenses can be split into which 3 primary categories?
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Origin of prolepsis
First recorded in 1570–80; from Late Latin prolēpsis, from Greek prólēpsis “anticipation, preconception,” equivalent to prolēp-, future stem of prolambánein “to anticipate” (pro- “for, before” + lambánein “to take”) + -sis noun suffix (see -sis
OTHER WORDS FROM prolepsis
pro·lep·tic [proh-lep-tik], /proʊˈlɛp tɪk/, pro·lep·ti·cal, adjectiveWords nearby prolepsis
prolation, prole, proleg, prolegomenon, prolegomenous, prolepsis, proleptic, proletarian, proletarianism, proletarianize, proletariat
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use prolepsis in a sentence
An instance of prolepsis, or "anticipation" in the use of a word.
The Lady of the Lake|Sir Walter ScottIt was a prolepsis of the soul, reaching upward towards its source and goal.
Christianity and Greek Philosophy|Benjamin Franklin Cocker
British Dictionary definitions for prolepsis
prolepsis
/ (prəʊˈlɛpsɪs) /
noun plural -ses (-siːz)
a rhetorical device by which objections are anticipated and answered in advance
use of a word after a verb in anticipation of its becoming applicable through the action of the verb, as flat in hammer it flat
Derived forms of prolepsis
proleptic, adjectiveWord Origin for prolepsis
C16: via Late Latin from Greek: anticipation, from prolambanein to anticipate, from pro- ² + lambanein to take
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
Medical definitions for prolepsis
prolepsis
[ prō-lĕp′sĭs ]
n. pl. pro•lep•ses (-sēz)
The return of paroxysms of a recurrent disease at intervals that progressively become shorter.
Other words from prolepsis
pro•lep′tic (-lĕp′tĭk) adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.