Preterition for Dummies

Hey there! So, you're wondering about the word "preterition," right? Well, let me break it down for you in the simplest way possible. When we talk about "preterition," we're actually referring to the act of passing over or disregarding something or someone. Think of it like this: Imagine you're in a big classroom, and the teacher is asking each student a question. But suddenly, the teacher completely skips over one student without even noticing. That student was "passed over" or "ignored," just like in the concept of "preterition." So, "preterition" is like saying something did not receive attention or was intentionally left out.

Now, let me dig a little deeper into the different definitions of this word. There are actually two main meanings:

1. The first definition of "preterition" relates to the idea of intentionally omitting or passing over something or someone. It could be because of neglect, oversight, or even purposefully ignoring someone or something. For instance, imagine you're playing a game with your friends, and somebody decides to leave out one player, intentionally ignoring them and pretending they don't exist. That's a form of "preterition."

2. Now, the second definition of "preterition" is a bit more complex, but bear with me! Here, it refers to a rhetorical device used in literature and writing. A "rhetorical device" is like a special tool writers use to make their writing more interesting or to emphasize a point. So, when we say "preterition" as a rhetorical device, it means that a writer brings up a subject, but then immediately says they won't discuss it. It's kind of like telling someone, "You know what? I'm not going to talk about that at all!" It can create suspense or intrigue the reader, making them wonder why the writer intentionally chose to leave something out.

So, there you have it, my friend! "Preterition" means passing over or neglecting something or someone, either by accident or on purpose. It can also refer to a rhetorical device in writing where the author brings up a topic but then intentionally decides not to focus on it. I hope this explanation helps you understand this word a little better. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!