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pre- Definition

pre- (prē, pri)

  1. before in time, earlier (than), prior (to) presuppose, prewar
  2. before in place, in front (of), anterior (to) preaxial
  3. before in rank, superior (to), surpassing preeminent
  4. preliminary to, in preparation for preschool

Etymology: ME < OFr & L: L prae- < prae, before, in front of < IE *prai, var. of base *per, beyond > fore, first