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Webster's New World College Dictionary » prejudice
prejudice
prejudice definition
preju·dice (prej′ə dis)
noun
- a judgment or opinion formed before the facts are known; preconceived idea, favorable or, more usually, unfavorable
- a judgment or opinion held in disregard of facts that contradict it; unreasonable bias a prejudice against modern art
- the holding of such judgments or opinions
- suspicion, intolerance, or irrational hatred of other races, creeds, regions, occupations, etc.
- injury or harm resulting as from some judgment or action of another or others
Etymology: ME < MFr < L praejudicium < prae-, before (see pre-) + judicium, judgment < judex (gen. judicis), judge
transitive verb prejudiced -·diced, prejudicing -·dic·ing
- to injure or harm, as by some judgment or action
- to cause to have or show prejudice; bias
prejudice Idioms
without prejudice
- without detriment or injury
- Law without dismissal of or detriment to (a legal right, claim, etc.): often with to
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