hysteron proteron noun, adverbial, & adjectival phr. [,hɪstǝrɒn 'prɒtǝrɒn] M16.
[Late Latin from Greek husteron proteron latter (put in place of) former.]
A. noun phr.
1. Rhetoric. A figure of speech in which what should come last is put first. M16.

2. gen. Position or arrangement of things in the reverse of their natural or rational order. L16.
B. adverbial phr. In a topsy-turvy way. Only in E17.
C. adjectival phr. Involving or employing hysteron proteron. M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲