Preposterousness

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Preposterous \Pre*pos"ter*ous\, a. [L. praeposterus; prae before
     + posterus coming after, latter. See {Posterior}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in
        order. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]


  
              The method I take may be censured as preposterous,
              because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth,
              which was first in the order of nature. --Woodward.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end;
        utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd;
        perverted. "Most preposterous conclusions." --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Preposterous ass, that never read so far! --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Absurd; perverted; wrong; irrational; foolish;
          monstrous. See {Absurd}.
          [1913 Webster] -- {Pre*pos"ter*ous*ly}, adv.
          -{Pre*pos"ter*ous*ness}, n.
          [1913 Webster]