[Salvation]

Main Entry:

hys·ter·on prot·er·on

Pronunciation:

\ˌhis-tə-ˌrän-ˈprä-tə-ˌrän, -tə-rən-ˈprä-tə-rən, -ˈprȯ-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, (the) later earlier, (the) latter first

Date:

1565

: a figure of speech consisting of the reversal of a natural or rational order (as in “then came the thunder and the lightning”)

[scrabblehack]

Are there any Greek scholars out there?

Is there any connection between “hysteron” (latter) and “hystera” (womb)?

hysterectomy = removal of the uterus
hysteria/hysterical/hysterics is generally traced to
hystera as well.

Yet a third word is “hystere’ma.” (deficiency).

The opening line of the 23rd Psalm of the Septuagint is:

Psalmos toi David Kyrios poimainei me kai ouden me hystere’sei.

(A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.)

I had thought that hystere’sei might be related to hystera — a womb lies open, wanting fulfillment. But maybe it’s related to hysteron instead. The early bird catches the worm and all, the late one may be empty handed.

Or maybe all 3 words are completely different.