1. the representation of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished
Usage: rhetoric; literary
2. the assignment of something to a time earlier than the actual one
Usage: rhetoric; chronology

Examples

• The author used prolepsis to describe the character’s death before revealing how it happened.
• Shakespeare employed prolepsis when he had characters speak of future events as if they were certain.
• The historian’s prolepsis placed modern concepts in ancient times inappropriately.
• In rhetoric, prolepsis can create dramatic tension by revealing outcomes early.
• The film’s opening scene was a prolepsis showing the climactic battle.
• Writers often use prolepsis to foreshadow important plot developments.