Preterite Definition

Origin of Preterite

• Middle English from Old French from Latin (tempus) praeteritum past (tense) neuter past participle of praeterīre to go by praeter beyond comparative of prae before per¹ in Indo-European roots īre to go ei- in Indo-European roots

  From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

• Recorded since 1340, from Old French preterit (13th century), from Latin praeteritum (as in tempus praeteritum "time past"), the past participle of praeterire "to go by, go past", itself from praeter "beyond, before, above, more than" (comparative of prae "before") + itum (the past participle of ire "to go").

  From Wiktionary