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