predate Hear it!

predate Definition

pre·date (prē dāt′)

transitive verb -·dat′ed, -·dat′·ing

  1. to put a date on (something) that is earlier than the current date
  2. to come before in time

predate Usage Examples

Object

  • advent: Although the survey predates the advent of OTC emergency contraception, the discussion is interesting.
  • pyramid: Built over 4000 years ago, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara predates the great pyramids by over 1000 years.
  • Christianity: The four quarters linked with Spirit make the pattern of a cross within a circle, a symbol which predates Christianity.
  • invention: Among other things, this predates the invention of ' schizophrenia ' .
  • era: Over half of the tracks are country, some of which predate the rock era by many years.
  • arrival: The photos predate the arrival of Elvis, Bill Haley et al.

Preposition: on

  • specie: The larvae live hidden away, feeding on corn and flour, but also, to a certain extent predating on other insect species.
  • aphid: Green lacewings, which predate on aphids, are especially welcome in gardens.
  • fish: The Association is concerned that cormorants are predating on the coarse fish in the lake.

Subject

fox: Fox A wide variety of birds and animals are predated by foxes.

Adjective complement

most: This post-reformation Particular Baptist Confession of Faith predates most of the confessions in current circulation.

Modifying Another Word

  • certainly: It certainly predates the beginning of salmon farming in Scotland.
  • probably: Of course the policy probably predates British socialism I'd imagine.
  • actually: The online coffee pot actually predates our World Wide Web server by some time.
  • even: We also have a guided tour inside Southwark Cathedral which predates even Westminster Abbey.
  • long: The lack of English support for maintaining the Union with Northern Ireland long predates the Belfast Agreement.
  • therefore: It was first described in 1921 and therefore predates the BSE epidemic by many years.

Followed by an intransitive particle

upon: They are know to be predated upon by owls.

Preposition: by

  • year: For the command to change the qiblah to Mecca in the Qur'an predates by many years the conquest of Mecca.
  • fox: Fox A wide variety of birds and animals are predated by foxes.