Hello all.

I'm not sure if I first saw this word in an AWAD email or some other place, but it's a verb that describes anticipating arguments or objections to something the speaker is saying, ostensibly to address the objections in advance.

I've been racking my brain for a couple of days trying to remember. Does it ring a bell for anyone?

Thanks in advance.

I'm not clear on your question. If - as you describe - I'm listening to a speaker and will have my turn to speak in a moment, isn't that simply the normal course of events in a rhetorical conversation? If the speaker points out possible counter-arguments and addresses them before they are voiced, formal rhetoric calls that "anticipation," a form of "refutation."

PROCATALEPSIS ! Definition

Thanks beck123. You had the idea right, which led me straight to the word. I was wrong about it being a verb, however.

I am very much obliged.

a.k.a. prolepsis. you might find this site useful: link
-joe (anticipation) friday

Here's another link:

Link

You can find "anticipation" and "refutation" defined there as figures of speech, if you prefer familiar words.