What term refers to something that is out of its proper historical time?

The term that refers to something that is out of its proper historical time is "anachronism." An anachronism occurs when a person, event, object, or custom is placed in an era to which it does not belong, often resulting in a discrepancy that highlights the differences between time periods. This can serve various purposes in literature, such as creating humor, offering commentary, or provoking thought about how society has evolved.

For example, if a character in a novel set in the 18th century were to use a smartphone, this would be anachronistic, as smartphones did not exist during that time. Recognizing anachronisms can deepen a reader's understanding of the text and its historical context.

The other options refer to different concepts. Extrapolation involves making conclusions or predictions based on current data or trends, chronology refers to the arrangement of events in their order of occurrence, and imitation describes the act of copying or emulating another's work or style. None of these terms capture the specific notion of a time-related discrepancy that defines anachronism.