Prolepses is a term that refers to the anticipatory use of a word or phrase in a sentence, which is later explained or defined. It is a literary device that is often used in fiction, poetry, and rhetorical speeches. Synonyms for prolepses include anticipation, preconception, presumption, supposition, and foreshadowing. Anticipation is the feeling or expectation of something that will happen in the future. Preconception is forming an opinion or idea about something before having any actual knowledge or experience. Presumption is the assumption of something without verification. Supposition is an assumption or hypothesis that is made without evidence. Foreshadowing is a literary device that hints at events that will happen later in the story.