preterit Hear it!

preterit Definition

pret·erit or preterite pret′·er·ite (pret′ər it)

adjective

  1. Gram. expressing past action or state
  2. Rare former

Etymology: ME preterit < MFr < L praeteritus, gone by, pp. of praeterire < praeter- (see preter-) + ire, to go: see year

noun

  1. the past tense
  2. a verb in the past tense
preterit Synonyms

preterit

modif.

past time, past action, preceding; see past 1.