1.
a preface intended to anticipate and answer an objection to an argument
2.
the use after a verb of an adjective that anticipates the result of the verb's action, e.g. "to iron a shirt smooth"
3.
the anachronistic assumption that a future event or condition has already happened, e.g. in the phrase "precolonial United States"
4.
the assignment of something as existing or occurring before it could have done so, e.g. in the sentence "If you don't answer this letter you're a rat"
1.
a preface intended to anticipate and answer an objection to an argument
2.
the use after a verb of an adjective that anticipates the result of the verb's action, e.g. "to iron a shirt smooth"
3.
the anachronistic assumption that a future event or condition has already happened, e.g. in the phrase "precolonial United States"
4.
the assignment of something as existing or occurring before it could have done so, e.g. in the sentence "If you don't answer this letter you're a rat"