Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Preterition

Preˊter-i′tion

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[L.
praeteritio
: cf. F.
prétérition
.]
1.
The act of passing, or going past; the state of being past.
Bp. Hall.
2.
(Rhet.)
A figure by which, in pretending to pass over anything, a summary mention of it is made;
as, “I will not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just
.” Called also
paraleipsis
.
3.
(Law)
The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs who is entitled to a portion.
Bouvier.

Webster 1828 Edition

Preterition

PRETERI'TION

,
Noun.
[L. proeterio, to pass by.]
1.
The act of going past; the state of being past.
2.
In rhetoric, a figure by which, in pretending to pass over any thing, we make a summary mention of it; as, 'I will not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just,' &c. The most artful praises are those bestowed by way of preterition.

Definition 2024

preterition

preterition

See also: praeterition

English

Alternative forms

Noun

preterition ‎(countable and uncountable, plural preteritions)

  1. The act of passing by, disregarding or omitting.
  2. A rhetorical device in which the speaker emphasizes something by omitting it.
    I do not intend to draw attention to my heroic military service; Instead, I will focus on the economy.
  3. (law) The failure of a testator to name a legal heir in his will.

Translations

Similar Results