prolepsis prolepsis
 pro-lep'-sis Gk. "A preconception"
prolepsie
anticipation, propounder

  1. A synonym for procatalepsis.
  2. Speaking of something future as though already done or existing. A figure of anticipation.
 
Examples
  [Of Defninition #1]
Oh, I am a dead man!
Obviously, the speaker refers less to the actuality of the moment as he does to the near future.

The following scriptural verse refers to Christ's ultimate victory as though it had already occurred.
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. —Hebrews 2:8

Related Figures
 
 
  Sources: Quintilian 9.2.16-17 (#1) ; Mosellanus a4r


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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Gideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University
Please cite "Silva Rhetoricae" (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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