prolepsis

[ proh-lep-sis ]

noun

, plural pro·lep·ses [proh-, lep, -seez].

1. Rhetoric. the anticipation of possible objections in order to answer them in advance.
2. 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.
3. the use of a descriptive word in anticipation of its becoming applicable.
4. a fundamental conception or assumption in Epicureanism or Stoicism arising spontaneously in the mind without conscious reflection; thought provoked by sense perception.
5. Pathology. the return of an attack of a periodic disease or of a paroxysm before the expected time or at progressively shorter intervals.

prolepsis

/ prəʊˈlɛpsɪs /

noun

1. a rhetorical device by which objections are anticipated and answered in advance
2. 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

• proˈleptic, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·lep·tic [proh-, lep, -tik], pro·lep·ti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolepsis¹

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 ( -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolepsis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: anticipation, from prolambanein to anticipate, from pro- ² + lambanein to take

Example Sentences

Through its use of foreshadowing and prolepsis, “The Arabian Nights” consistently fosters a fatalistic sense that no one can escape his or her destiny.

From Washington Post

Part two of “Zama” takes place four years later, in 1794, and prolepsis—the narrative technique of jumping forward in time—has seldom been used to crueller effect.

From The New Yorker

In fact, Fo makes explicit reference to the theater throughout, and uses borrowed techniques — including a visual “proscenium,” prolepsis, asides, interludes, shifting scenes and the dismantling of the fourth wall.

From Washington Post

In formal rhetoric, prolepsis means the anticipation of possible objections to an argument for the sake of answering them.

From Wall Street Journal

It was a prolepsis of the soul, reaching upward towards its source and goal.

From Project Gutenberg