Where does “preposterously” come from?

Preposterously derives from Latin praeposterus, meaning "reversed in order," from posterus "coming after," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "forward" and "together."

preposterously (English): In a preposterous manner

Definitions

  1. In a preposterous manner

Ancestry of “preposterously”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpreposterousAbsurd, or contrary to common sense
2Latinpraeposterusreversed, inverted; perverted, distorted; absurd,...
3Latinposterusfollowing, next, coming after; inferior
4Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
5Latinposteablative singular of postis
6Proto-Italicpostibehind, after
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpóstiafter
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós
preposterously — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer