PREPOSTEROUS


Meaning of PREPOSTEROUS in English

prēˈpäst(ə)rəs, prə̇ˈ- adjective

Etymology: Latin praeposterus, literally, reversed, from prae- pre- + posterus next, following — more at posterior

1.

a. : contrary to nature, reason, or common sense : absurd , nonsensical

so many seemingly incredible and preposterous things were true nevertheless — Ellen Glasgow

b. : ridiculous in appearance or manner : grotesque

false nose and preposterous spectacles — Eric Keown

uses its preposterous Elizabethan collar as a storehouse for food — Bill Beatty

2. : having or placing something first that should be last

an infuriating book … a preposterous one in inverting with absolute conviction a comfortable and rarely questioned order of values — Times Literary Supplement

Synonyms: see foolish

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.