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Definition of previous - 3 dictionary results

pre⋅vi⋅ous

  [pree-vee-uhs]
Use previous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. coming or occurring before something else; prior: the previous owner.
2. Informal. done, occurring, etc., before the proper time; premature: Aren't you a little previous with that request?
—Idiom
3. previous to, before; prior to: Previous to moving here she lived in Chicago.
Origin:
1615–25; < L praevius going before, equiv. to prae- pre- + vi(a) way + -us adj. suffix

Related forms:
pre⋅vi⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
pre⋅vi⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. earlier, former, preceding, foregoing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To previous
pre·vi·ous   (prē'vē-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Existing or occurring before something else in time or order; prior: children by a previous marriage.

  2. Informal Acting, occurring, or done too soon; premature.


[From Latin praevius, going before : prae-, pre- + via, way; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.]
pre'vi·ous·ly adv., pre'vi·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

previous 
1625, from L. prævius "going before," from præ "before" + via "road" (see via).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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