Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
antepenultimatum. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
antepenultimatum, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
antepenultimatum in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
antepenultimatum you have here. The definition of the word
antepenultimatum will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
antepenultimatum, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
ante- + penultimatum
Noun
antepenultimatum (plural antepenultimatums or antepenultimata)
- (diplomacy, commonly satirical) A statement of terms or conditions made by one party to another, essentially a penultimatum, but even more tentative and more repeatedly abandoned in favour of subsequent ignominious compromises.
- 1853 Diogenes - Issue 2706, Volume 2 - Page 14
- THE RUSSIAN ULTIMATUM. We are constantly hearing of some fresh ultimatum being proposed by the Russian Government, so that what was considered a fortnight since the real ultimatum, must, now that another has been offered, be called the penultimatum; and next week, when a third one will probably have been suggested, we shall find that the original ultimatum was, in fact, only an antepenultimatum.
- 1898 Ambrose Bierce: Fantastic fables
- "If you do not submit my claim to arbitration," wrote the President of Omohu to the President of Modugy, "I shall take immediate steps to collect it in my own way!"
"Sir," replied the President of Modugy, "you may go to the devil with your threat of war."
"My great and good friend," wrote the other, "you mistake the character of my communication. It is an antepenultimatum."