Pre*pos"ter*ous (?) a.[L. praeposterus; prae before + posterus coming after, latter. See Posterior.]
1.
Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in order.
[Obs.]
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.
2.
Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end; utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd; perverted.
"Most
preposterous conclusions."
Shak.
Preposterous ass, that never read so far!
Shak.
Syn. -- Absurd; perverted; wrong; irrational; foolish; monstrous. See Absurd.
-- Pre*pos"ter*ous*ly, adv. -Pre*pos"ter*ous*ness, n.
© Webster 1913.