Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

preterition

noun
pret·​er·​i·​tion | \ ˌpretəˈrishən\
plural -s

Definition of preterition

1 : pretermission sense 1
2 : paraleipsis
3 : the Calvinistic doctrine that having elected to eternal life such as he chose God passed over the rest leaving them to eternal death — compare reprobation sense b

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for preterition

Late Latin praeterition-, praeteritio, from Latin praeteritus (past participle of praeterire) + -ion-, -io -ion

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about preterition

Statistics for preterition

Look-up Popularity

Comments on preterition

What made you want to look up preterition? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

hobbyhorse

Listen to the pronounciation of hobbyhorse

a topic to which one constantly reverts

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Where in the World? A Quiz

  • peter bruegel tower of babel painting
  • What language does pajama come from?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games