Definition of prolepsis

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pro·lep·sis    (pr-lpss) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. pro·lep·ses  (-sz) KEY 

1. The anachronistic representation of something as existing before its proper or historical time, as in the precolonial United States.
2. 1. The assignment of something, such as an event or name, to a time that precedes it, as in If you tell the cops, you're a dead man.
   2. The use of a descriptive word in anticipation of the act or circumstances that would make it applicable, as dry in They drained the lake dry.
3. The anticipation and answering of an objection or argument before one's opponent has put it forward.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin prolpsis, from Greek, from prolambanein, to anticipate : pro-, before ; see pro-² + lambanein, lp-, to take

OTHER FORMS:
pro·leptic  (-lptk) KEY  or pro·lepti·cal  (-t-kl) KEY (Adjective)