from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Preposterous \Pre*pos"ter*ous\, a. [L. praeposterus; prae before
+ posterus coming after, latter. See {Posterior}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in
order. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
The method I take may be censured as preposterous,
because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth,
which was first in the order of nature. --Woodward.
[1913 Webster]
2. Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end;
utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd;
perverted. "Most preposterous conclusions." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Preposterous ass, that never read so far! --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Absurd; perverted; wrong; irrational; foolish;
monstrous. See {Absurd}.
[1913 Webster] -- {Pre*pos"ter*ous*ly}, adv.
-{Pre*pos"ter*ous*ness}, n.
[1913 Webster]