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pre-

1
  1. a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” ( preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” “beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings ( preschool; prewar; prepay; preoral; prefrontal ).


P.R.E.

2

abbreviation for

  1. Petroleum Refining Engineer.

pre-

prefix

  1. before in time, rank, order, position, etc

    pre-eminent

    premeditation

    predate

    prefrontal

    preschool



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Word History and Origins

Origin of pre-1

< Latin prae-, prefixal use of prae (preposition and adv.); akin to first, fore-, prior 1, pro 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pre-1

from Latin prae-, from prae before, beforehand, in front

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Example Sentences

He has picked pre-primary brawls with Christie, Perry, and Marco Rubio.

At that time, pre -9/11, the links were more subtle and had to be hunted down.

While in pre-trial detention, Krivov undertook two hunger strikes.

At his year-end, pre-Hawaii press conference, we caught a rare glimpse of peak Obama.

Instead, the military commission proceedings are bogged down in a pre-trial phase, as it has been for the past three years.

The Spaniards, indeed, feigned to regard them only as a remnant of the rebels who had joined the pre-existing brigand bands.

Doubtless the commentator habit is fixed in the nature of man; but it was pre-eminently mediaeval.

From pre-natal days I was destined for the railway service, as an oyster to its shell.

Dr. Wilson says, in the statistical accounts of Scotland, many of which are suggestive of a pre-Raleigh period.

Offered to Him that liveth for ever and ever, it celebrates his eternal pre-existence and existence to eternal ages.

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gallimaufry

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