Meaning of penultimatum | Babel Free

Definitions

A statement of terms or conditions made by one party to another, commonly expressed as an ultimatum in the hopes of compelling immediate compliance with demands, but that then is superseded by more negotiation instead of actual dire consequences.

humorous

Examples

“1796 French Laurence in correspondence with Edmund Burke To what point⟳ of degradation ministers can yet sink⟳, I cannot guess⟳. Far be it from me to limit⟳ their genius for the bathos of diplomacy. It is said, however, in some of their papers, that they have⟳ sent final instructions. I fear they are like⟳ a set⟳ of strolling players: "The last⟳ night," — "positively the last⟳ night," — "the very last⟳ night,” — “the last⟳ night without fail⟳;" — creeps on with petty pace from day to day. Ultimatum follows ultimatum; till, by and by, you get⟳ to a penultimatum, and that leads to the beginning of a negotiation.”

CEFR level