preposterouslyadv.
/prᵻˈpɒst(ə)rəsli/, U.S. /prəˈpɑst(ə)rəsli/ 1. In an inverted or reversed order or position. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [adverb] > in reversed order
reversea1393
topsy-turvy1528
preposterously1533
hysteron proteron1602
inverselya1628
inversedly1645
reversedly1649
reversely1659
reverse ways1762
ass-backward1939
1533 tr. Erasmus Enchiridion Militis Christiani sig. L.x Shulde he not do preposterously or out of ordre if a man wolde go aboute to trye not the stone by the ruler or squyre but the ruler by the stone.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 269 So the sense inferreth albeit the wordes be somewhat preposterously placed.
1589 T. Nashe Anat. Absurditie sig. Dii Those that are called Agrippæ..beeing preposterously borne with their feete forward.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads v. 584 He groan's, tumbled to earth, and stay'd A mighty while preposterously..Upon his neck, and shoulder ther.
1676 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 11 767 So preposterously are those Books ranged in this Catalogue.
a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) XI. 3 Some indeed preposterously misplace these, and make us partake of the benefit of Christ's priestly office..before we are brought under the scepter of his kingly office.
1829 W. Hamilton in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 205 Preposterously..deducing the laws of the understanding from a questionable division, of logical propositions.
1868 Galaxy Dec. 821 Deprived was given in Latin lexicons as its primary meaning, and deprived of wife or husband was given as its secondary and dependent meaning, preposterously.
2. Unnaturally, irrationally; perversely; absurdly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > absurdity, incongruity > [adverb]
stultitiously1536
preposterously?c1550
absurdly1559
ridiculously1563
fore-backwardlya1586
nonsensically1648
ad absurdum1656
nonsensely1656
fancifully1664
laughably1763
ridiculous1827
laughingly1843
dottily1937
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > [adverb] > without conforming to nature, reason, etc.
preposterously?c1550
countermount1647
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly > specifically of something bad
sorea1300
grievously1340
terrible1490
beastly?1518
shrewdlyc1533
arrantly?1548
murrainly?1548
abominablea1550
pestilence1567
pestilently1567
cursedly1570
pestiferously1570
murrain1575
plaguey1584
plaguilya1586
grievous1598
scandalously1602
horridly1603
terribly1604
monstrously1611
hellish1614
dreadfullya1616
horrid1615
pestilenta1616
infernally1638
preposterously1661
woeful1684
confoundedly1694
confounded1709
glaringly1709
cursed1719
flagrantly1756
weary1790
disgustingly1804
filthy1827
blamed1833
peskily1833
pesky1833
blame1843
blasted1854
wickedly1858
blatantly1878
shamelessly1885
disgracefully1893
ruddy1913
bastarda1935
pissing1951
sodding1954
pissingly1971
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. i. 39 His brother Archigallo..didd preposteruslie exalte and honor the moste obscure and servile persons.
1615 W. Lawson Country Housewifes Garden (1626) 9 They doe preposterously, that bestow more cost and labours,..vpon a Garden than vpon an Orchard.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. ii. 109 Whatsoeuer cunning fiend it was That wrought vpon thee so preposterously, Hath got the voyce in hell for excellence. View more context for this quotation
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 141 Our preposterously partial Memories.
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 166 She is preposterously sighing after a stripling with languishing eyes and soft hair, who loves her.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) iii. 21 It was none of your frivolous and preposterously bright bedrooms, where nobody can close an eye with any kind of propriety.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule viii. 132 He got up at preposterously early hours.
1939 G. Greene Confidential Agent i. ii. 62 She was preposterously young to have such complete theoretical knowledge of vice.
1974 J. Betjeman Nip in Air 23 And build our Casa for us and, what's more, Preposterously cheaply.
2005 Times (Nexis) 25 Oct. 18 Two men..thought it was a set-up mainly because Billy was so preposterously over-the-top that he must be an English actor's idea of an American.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1533