pre- Hear it!

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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