English edit

Etymology edit

From Ancient Greek; compare French proleptique.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /pɹəʊˈlɛptɪkəl/
  • (file)

Adjective edit

proleptical (comparative more proleptical, superlative most proleptical)

  1. Anticipating the usual time; applied to a periodical disease whose paroxysms return at an earlier hour at every repetition.
  2. Previous; antecedent.
    • 1665, Joseph Glanvill, Scepsis Scientifica: Or, Confest Ignorance, the Way to Science; [], London: [] E. C[otes] for Henry Eversden [], →OCLC:
      Nor can the proleptical notions of Religion be so well defended by the protest Servants of the Altar
  3. Of or pertaining to prolepsis; anticipative.
    • 1877, W. B. Pope., A Compendium of Christian Theology, Volume 2, Wesleyan Conference Office, 2 Castle Street, Coty Road; Sold at 66, Paternoster Row, p. 348:
      It must be always remembered that this was the object for which the Three Chapters which the Predestinarians have taken refuge in: they were written in fact as a proleptical refutation of such views.

Translations edit