hysteron proteron (redirected from hysteron proterons)

hys·ter·on prot·er·on  (hst-rn prt-rn)

n.

1. 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.

2. The logical fallacy of assuming as true and using as a premise a proposition that is yet to be proved.

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[Late Latin, from Greek husteron proteron, latter first : husteron, neuter sing. of husteros, latter, later; see ud- in Indo-European roots + proteron, neuter sing. of proteros, former; see per¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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hysteron proteron

a figure of speech in which what logically should come last comes flrst, as “bred and bom” and “thunder and lightning.” Also called hysterology.

See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	hysteron proteron - reversal of normal order of two words or sentences etc. (as in `bred and born') rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
	2.	hysteron proteron - the logical fallacy of using as a true premise a proposition that is yet to be proved logical fallacy - a fallacy in logical argumentation