preconceive (v.) — prelapsarian (adj.)
"form a conception, notion, or idea of in advance of actual knowledge," 1570s, from pre- "before" + conceive. Related: Preconceived; preconceiving; preconceit.ETD preconceive (v.).2
"conception or opinion formed in advance of experience or actual knowledge," 1620s, from pre- "before" + conception. Related: Preconceptions.ETD preconception (n.).2
"an antecedent condition, a condition requisite in advance," 1825, from pre- "before" + condition (n.). As a verb from 1841. Related: Preconditioned; preconditioning.ETD precondition (n.).2
"pertaining to or involving a state anterior to consciousness," 1860, from pre- "before" + conscious (adj.).ETD preconscious (adj.).2
also pre-cool, "cool prior to use or before some further treatment," 1904, from pre- + cool (v.). Related: Precooled; precooling.ETD precool (v.).2
early 15c., precursoure, "a forerunner; that which precedes an event and indicates its approach," from Old French precurseur and directly from Latin praecursor "forerunner," agent noun from past-participle stem of praecurrere, from prae "before" (see pre-) + currere "to run" (from PIE root *kers- "to run"). Originally of John the Baptist. Related: Precursive; precursory.ETD precursor (n.).2
also predaceous, "living by prey, disposed to prey or plunder, predatory," 1713, from stem of predation (Latin praedari) + -acious.ETD predacious (adj.).2
also predate, 1859, "to antedate, to assign an earlier date to than the actual time," from pre- + date (n.1) "point in time." From 1857 as "to exist before, be of an earlier date than." Related: Pre-dated; pre-dating.ETD pre-date (v.).2
late 15c., predacioun, "act of plundering or pillaging," from Latin praedationem (nominative praedatio) "a plundering, act of taking booty," from praedari "to rob, to plunder," from praeda "plunder, booty, prey" (see prey (n.)). Zoological sense recorded from 1907.ETD predation (n.).2
"animal that preys upon another," 1862, from Latin praedator "plunderer," from praedari "to rob" (see predation). Latin Predatores (Swainson, 1840) was used in biology of the group of coleopterous insects that ate other insects.ETD predator (n.).2
"to seek prey," 1974, a back-formation from predator, predation, etc. Related: Predated; predating. For the word that means "antedate; pre-exist," see pre-date.ETD predate (v.).2
1580s, "involving plundering or pillaging," from Latin praedatorius "pertaining to plunder," from praedator "plunderer," from praedor "to plunder," from praeda "prey" (see prey (n.)). In zoology, "habitually preying upon other animals," from 1660s.ETD predatory (adj.).2
"of or occurring before the dawn of day," 1940, from pre- + dawn (n.).ETD pre-dawn (adj.).2
"to die before, precede in dying," 1590s, from pre- "before" + decease (v.). Related: Predeceased; predeceasing.ETD predecease (v.).2
late 14c., predecessour, "one who has held an office or position before the present holder," from Old French predecesseor "forebear" and directly from Late Latin praedecessorem (nominative praedecessor) "one who has gone before," from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + decessor "retiring official," from decess-, past participle stem of decedere "go away," also "die" (see decease (n.)). Meaning "ancestor, forefather" is recorded from c. 1400.ETD predecessor (n.).2
"define or limit beforehand," 1540s, from pre- "before" + define (v.), or else from French predefinir or Medieval Latin *praedefinire. Related: Predefined; predefining; predefinition.ETD predefine (v.).2
mid-14c., predestinacioun, "the action of God in foreordaining certain of mankind through grace to salvation or eternal life," from Old French predestinacion and directly from Church Latin praedestinationem (nominative praedestinatio) "a determining beforehand," noun of action from past-participle stem of praedestinare "set before as a goal; appoint or determine beforehand," from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + destinare "appoint, determine" (see destine (v.)).ETD predestination (n.).2
The Latin word was first used in the theological sense by Augustine; given prominence by Calvin. Related: Predestinarian "one who believes in the doctrine of predestination" (1660s).ETD predestination (n.).3
in theology, of God, "to foreordain by a divine decree or purpose" (someone, to salvation or eternal life), mid-15c. (as a past-participle adjective from late 14c.), from past-participle stem of Church Latin praedestinare "determine beforehand" (see predestination). The Latin word translates Greek proorizein. Related: Predestinated; predestinating.ETD predestinate (v.).2
late 14c., predestinen, "to foreordain, decree beforehand," from Old French prédestiner (12c.) "predestine, ordain" (of God) and directly from Latin praedestinare "determine beforehand" (see predestination). Related: Predestined; predestining.ETD predestine (v.).2
"state of being previously determined; act of predetermining," 1630s; see predetermine + noun ending -ation.ETD predetermination (n.).2
"to determine beforehand, destine by previous decree," 1620s, originally theological, from pre- "before" + determine or else from Late Latin praedeterminare (Augustine). Related: Predetermined; predetermining; predeterminate.ETD predetermine (v.).2
mid-15c., a term in logic, "that which is said of a subject," from Old French predicat and directly from Medieval Latin predicatum, from Latin praedicatum "that which is said of the subject," noun use of neuter past participle of praedicare "assert, proclaim, declare publicly," from prae- "forth, before" (see pre-) + dicare "proclaim" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly," and see diction).ETD predicate (n.).2
The grammatical sense of "the word or words which express what is said of a subject in a proposition" is from 1630s. Related: Predicative; predicator; predicatory.ETD predicate (n.).3
"affirming, asserting, expressing affirmation," 1846; see predicate (n.) + -ive.ETD predicative (adj.).2
"declare, assert, affirm," especially as an attribute or quality of something, 1550s, a back formation from predication, or else from Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicare "proclaim, announce" (see predicate (n.)). Related: Predicated; predicating. Phrase predicated on "founded on, based on," is American English, recorded from 1766.ETD predicate (v.).2
"belonging to a predicate; constituting a part of what is asserted of anything," 1887, from Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicare "proclaim, announce" (see predicate (n.)).ETD predicate (adj.).2
c. 1300, predicacioun, "a preaching, a sermon," from Old French predicacion (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin predicationem, from Latin praedicationem (nominative praedicatio) "a foretelling, prediction," noun of action from past-participle stem of praedicare "assert or proclaim, declare publicly" (see predicate (n.)). In logic, "act of affirming one thing of another," 1630s.ETD predication (n.).2
early 15c., in philosophy, "category, class; one of Aristotle's 10 categories," from Medieval Latin predicamentum, from Late Latin praedicamentum "quality, category, something predicted, that which is asserted," from Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicare "assert, proclaim, declare publicly," from prae- "forth, before" (see pre-) + dicare "proclaim" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly," and see diction). Praedicamentum is a loan-translation of Greek kategoria, Aristotle's word.ETD predicament (n.).2
The meaning "unpleasant, dangerous, or trying situation" is a particular negative use of the general sense of "a state of being, condition, situation" (1580s).ETD predicament (n.).3
"quality or character of being predicted or foretold," 1820, from predict + -able. Related: Predictably, which in the sense "as could have been predicted" is attested from 1914.ETD predictable (adj.).2
"quality or character of being predictable," 1855, from predictable + -ity.ETD predictability (n.).2
1620s (implied in predicted), "foretell, prophesy, declare before the event happens," a back formation from prediction or else from Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicere "foretell, advise, give notice," from prae "before" (see pre-) + dicere "to say" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly"). Related: Predicted; predicting.ETD predict (v.).2
"act of predicting; a prophecy, a declaration concerning future events," 1560s, from French prédiction and directly from Medieval Latin predictionem (nominative predictio), from Latin praedictio "a foretelling," noun of action from past-participle stem of praedicere "assert, proclaim, declare publicly" (see predict).ETD prediction (n.).2
"prophetic, indicative of something future," 1650s, from Late Latin praedictivus "foretelling," from praedict-, stem of praedicere "foretell, advise, give notice" (see predict).ETD predictive (adj.).2
"one who or that which predicts or foretells," 1650s, from Medieval Latin praedictor, agent noun from praedicere "foretell, advise, give notice" (see predict). Statistical sense is from 1950.ETD predictor (n.).2
also pre-digest, "digest more or less completely by artificial means before introducing into the body," 1660s, from pre- "before" + digest (v.). Figurative use by 1905. Related: Predigested; predigesting; predigestion.ETD predigest (v.).2
"a prepossession of the mind in favor of something," 1742, from French prédilection (16c.), noun of action from Medieval Latin praedilectus, past participle of prediligere "prefer before others," from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + diligere "choose, love" (see diligent). The verb predilect (1774) is rare or obsolete.ETD predilection (n.).2
"incline beforehand, put into a certain frame of mind, render susceptible either mentally or physically," 1640s, perhaps a back-formation from predisposition or else from or based on French predisposer (15c.). Related: Predisposed; predisposing.ETD predispose (v.).2
"state of having a previous tendency or inclination in a particular direction, mental or physical susceptibility," 1620s, from pre- + disposition. Related: Predispositional.ETD predisposition (n.).2
synthetic steroid, 1955, probably with ending from cortisone + elements of pregnadiene, from pregnane, name of the compound from which pregnancy hormones were derived, from the Latin stem of pregnancy, + diene "unsaturated hydrocarbon containing two double bonds between carbon atoms," from di- + -ene.ETD prednisone (n.).2
1570s, "ruling; controlling; exerting power, authority, or influence," from French prédominant (14c.), from Medieval Latin *praedominantem (nominative praedominans), present participle of *praedominare, from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + dominari "to rule, dominate, to govern," from dominus "lord, master," from domus "house" (from PIE root *dem- "house, household"). Weakened sense of "more frequent, prevalent" is from c. 1600. Related: Predominantly.ETD predominant (adj.).2
1590s, "to have or exert controlling power," from Medieval Latin praedominatus, past participle of *praedominare from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + dominari "to rule, dominate, to govern," from dominus "lord, master," from domus "house" (from PIE root *dem- "house, household"). Related: Predominated; predominating; predominatingly; predomination (1580s).ETD predominate (v.).2
"quality of being predominant; superiority in power, authority, or influence," c. 1600; see predominant + -ance. Related: Predominancy (1590s).ETD predominance (n.).2
"condemn beforehand," 1610s, from pre- "before" + doom (v.). Related: Predoomed; predooming.ETD predoom (v.).2
also preeclampsia, "pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure and other symptoms associated with eclampsia," 1903, from pre- + eclampsia. Related: Pre-eclamptic (1896).ETD pre-eclampsia (n.).2
also preelect, "to choose or elect beforehand," 1560s, from pre- "before" + elect (v.). Related: Pre-elected; pre-electing.ETD pre-elect (v.).2
1580s, "choice of one person or thing in preference to others," from pre- + election or else from Medieval Latin praeelectionem.ETD pre-election (n.).2
also preelection, "occurring or given before a political election," 1893, from pre- "before" + election.ETD pre-election (adj.).2
"occurring or pertaining to the time before the use of electricity," 1879, from pre- + electric.ETD pre-electric (adj.).2
"baby born prematurely," 1927, premy, an American English shortening of premature with -y (2). Spelling with -ie attested from 1949.ETD preemie (n.).2
also pre-eminence, c. 1200, "surpassing eminence; superiority, distinction; precedence, a place of rank or distinction," from Late Latin praeeminentia "distinction, superiority," from Latin praeeminentem (nominative praeeminens), present participle of praeeminere "transcend, excel," literally "project forward, rise above," from prae "before" (see pre-) + eminere "stand out, project" (see eminent).ETD pre-eminence (n.).2
also preeminent, early 15c., "superior, distinguished beyond others, eminent above others," from Old French preeminent and directly from Medieval Latin preeminentem, from Latin praeeminentem (nominative praeeminens), present participle of praeeminare "to transcend, excel," literally "to project forward, rise above" (see pre-eminence). Related: Pre-eminently; preeminently.ETD pre-eminent (adj.).2
also preempt, 1830, "secure (land, etc.) by pre-emption, occupy (public land) so as to establish a pre-emptive title to it," a back-formation from pre-emption or pre-emptive, originally American English. In the broadcasting sense of "set aside (a program) and replace it with another" it is attested from 1965, American English, a euphemism for "cancel." Related: pre-empted; preempted.ETD pre-empt (v.).2
also preemption, c. 1600, "a purchase by one before an opportunity is offered to others," originally as a right; literally "a purchasing before others," from pre- "before" + emption "purchase."ETD pre-emption (n.).2
also preemptive, 1806, "pertaining to or of the nature of pre-emption;" from pre-emption + -ive. Specifically of an attack on an enemy who is plotting or has set in motion his own imminent attack, 1958, a term from the Cold War. Related: Pre-emptively; preemptively.ETD pre-emptive (adj.).2
also preemptory, 1822, "relating to pre-emption," from pre-emption + -ory.ETD pre-emptory (adj.).2
late 14c., of a person, "to trim, to dress up," probably a variation of Middle English proynen, proinen, of a bird, "trim the feather with the beak;" of a person, "to dress or groom oneself carefully" (see prune (v.)). Middle English prene "to pin, pierce, fasten with a pin" probably influenced the form of this word. It is from Old English preon, a general Germanic word (compare Dutch priemen, Low German prünen, East Frisian prinen).ETD preen (v.).2
In English, the use in reference to a bird, "to trim the feathers with the beak," is from late 15c. Because of the late medieval popularity of falconry, bird activities were more closely observed and words for them were more precise in English than today.ETD preen (v.).3
Preening as a present-participle adjective meaning "proud, self-confident" is by 1903.ETD preen (v.).4
also preengage, "bind in advance by promise or agreement," 1640s, from pre- "before" + engage (v.). Related: Pre-engaged; pre-engaging; pre-engagement.ETD pre-engage (v.).2
"existing or done before exile," 1884, chiefly in reference to Biblical writings supposed to date before the Jewish exile (586-537 B.C.E.), from pre- "before" + exile (n.) + -ic.ETD pre-exilic (adj.).2
also preexisting, 1590s, present-participle adjective from pre-exist. The medical insurance pre-existing condition is attested from 1942.ETD pre-existing (adj.).2
also preexist, "exist before something else, have a prior existence," 1590s, from pre- "before" + exist. Related: Pre-existed; pre-existing.ETD pre-exist (v.).2
"existence previous to something else; existence in a previous state, as of the soul before its union with the body," 1650s, from pre- + existence.ETD pre-existence (n.).2
"manufactured in a factory prior to assembly on site," 1937, short for prefabricated "made by assembling large components made elsewhere," originally of housing (see prefabricate). As a noun, "prefabricated housing," from 1942.ETD prefab (adj.).2
"manufacture in a factory prior to assembly on site," 1919 (implied in prefabricated), from pre- + fabricate (v.). Related: Prefabricating.ETD prefabricate (v.).2
late 14c., "an introduction to the canon of the Mass," also "statement or statements introducing a discourse, book, or other composition; series of preliminary remarks, written or spoken," from Old French preface "opening part of sung devotions" (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prefatia, from Latin praefationem (nominative praefatio) "fore-speaking, introduction," in Medieval Latin "prologue," noun of action from past participle stem of praefari "to say beforehand," from prae "before" (see pre-) + fari "speak," from PIE root *bha- (2) "to speak, tell, say."ETD preface (n.).2
"give a preface to, introduce by preliminary written or spoken remarks," 1610s, from preface (n.). Related: Prefaced; prefacing.ETD preface (v.).2
"belonging to or serving as a preface, introductory," 1670s, from Latin praefat-, past-participle stem of praefari "to say beforehand" (see preface (n.)) + -ory. Related: Prefatorial; prefatorily.ETD prefatory (adj.).2
mid-14c., "civil or military official, governor, magistrate," from Old French prefect (12c., Modern French préfet) and directly from Latin praefectus "public overseer, superintendent, director," a title of certain magistrates, noun use of past participle of praeficere "to put in front, to set over, put in authority," from prae "in front, before" (see pre-) + combining form of facere "to make, to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").ETD prefect (n.).2
The spelling has been restored from Middle English prefet. The meaning "administrative head of the Paris police" is from 1800; the sense of "senior pupil designated to keep order in an English school" is by 1864. Related: Prefectorial; prefectoral.ETD prefect (n.).3
"administrative district, office, or jurisdiction of a prefect," mid-15c., from Old French préfecture (13c.) and directly from Latin praefectura, or assembled locally from prefect + -ure. Also used as the English equivalent to Chinese fu, "an administrative division consisting of several districts" (1885).ETD prefecture (n.).2
"pertaining to or belonging to a prefecture," 1807, from prefecture + -al (1).ETD prefectural (adj.).2
late 14c., preferren, "to put forward or advance in rank or fortune, to promote (to an office, dignity, or position); further (one's interest)," from Old French preferer (14c.) and directly from Latin praeferre "place or set before, carry in front," from prae "before" (see pre-) + ferre "to carry, to bear," from PIE root *bher- (1) "to carry," also "to bear children."ETD prefer (v.).2
The meaning "to esteem or value (something) more than others, set before others in liking or esteem" also is recorded from late 14c. and is now the usual sense. The other sense in English is preserved in preferment.ETD prefer (v.).3
mid-15c., preferrement, "furtherance of an undertaking; advancement or promotion in status; a prior claim or right," from prefer + -ment. From 1530s as "a superior place or office," especially in the Church.ETD preferment (n.).2
mid-15c., preferraunce, "advancement in position or status;" 1650s as "act of prefering," from Old French preference (14c., Modern French préférence), from Medieval Latin preferentia, from past-participle stem of Latin praeferrere "place or set before, carry in front" (see prefer). Sense of "that which one prefers, the object of choice" is from 1852.ETD preference (n.).2
"worthy to be preferred, more desirable," 1640s (implied in preferableness), from or on model of French préférable, from préfér (see prefer). OED [2nd. ed. print, 1989] notes that the spelling preferrable is better English but has not prevailed. Related: Preferably; preferability.ETD preferable (adj.).2
"characterized by or having preference," 1805, from Medieval Latin preferentia (from Latin praeferre; see prefer) + -al (1). Related: Preferentially.ETD preferential (adj.).2
"a figuring beforehand, antecedent representation by similitude," late 14c., prefiguracioun, from Late Latin praefigurationem (nominative praefiguratio) "a figuring beforehand," noun of action from past-participle stem of praefigurare "to prefigure" (see prefigure).ETD prefiguration (n.).2
"represent beforehand, foreshadow, serve as a type of," early 15c., prefiguren, from Old French prefigurer and directly from Late Latin praefigurare "to prefigure," from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + figurare "to form, shape," from figura "a shape, form, figure" (from PIE root *dheigh- "to form, build"). Related: Prefigured; prefiguring.ETD prefigure (v.).2
in grammar, "word or syllable or two syllables (rarely more) affixed to the beginning of a word to qualify its meaning or direct its application," 1640s, from Latin praefixum, noun use of neuter past participle of praefigere "fix in front, fasten on before," from prae "before" (see pre-) + root of figere "to fasten, fix" (from PIE root *dheigw- "to stick, fix"). Related: Prefixal.ETD prefix (n.).2
early 15c., prefixen, "appoint beforehand," from Old French prefixer, from pre- "before" (see pre-) + *fixer (see fix (v.)). Also compare Latin praefixus, past participle of praefigere. Meaning "to place at the beginning" is from 1530s; of words or parts of words from c. 1600. Related: Prefixed; prefixing.ETD prefix (v.).2
also pre-flight, "of or pertaining to the preparations for a flight," 1918 with reference to aviation, from pre- + flight (n.).ETD preflight (adj.).2
"formed in advance of use or further preparation," c. 1600, from Latin praeformare or else from pre- + formed (see form (v.)). Of plastic and synthetic products, from 1918. A verb preform "form beforehand" seems to be late and rare in English. Related: Preformation (1732).ETD preformed (adj.).2
"pregnant," 1942, British slang, from pregnant (adj.1) + ending as in bonkers, crackers, starkers. This seems to be an expanded version of -er (3), the suffix used to make jocular or familiar formations from common or proper names (as in rugger for rugby, and soccer).ETD preggers (adj.).2
"pregnant," Australian slang, 1951, from pregnant (adj.1). Compare preggers.ETD preggo (adj.).2
also pre-glacial, "prior to the Ice Ages," 1853, from pre- + glacial.ETD preglacial (adj.).2
of a fortress, etc., "capable of being taken or won by force," 1530s, an alteration of Middle English preignable, earlier prenable (early 15c.), pernable (late 14c.), from Old French prenable, pregnauble "assailable, vulnerable," from stem of prendre "to take, grasp, seize," from Latin prehendere "to take hold of, to seize" (from prae- "before," see pre-, + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take"). The form was confused in French and English by the influence of unrelated words from French preignaunt and English pregnant.ETD pregnable (adj.).2
"state of a female who has conceived or is with child," 1520s (originally figurative), from pregnant (adj.1) + abstract noun suffix -cy. Literal use attested from 1590s. An earlier word in this sense was pregnacioun (early 15c.), from Old French pregnacion and Latin praegnationem.ETD pregnancy (n.).2
["convincing, weighty, pithy, full of meaning"] late 14c., "cogent, convincing, compelling" (of evidence, an argument, etc.); c. 1400 as "full of meaning;" from Old French preignant "pregnant, pithy, ready capable," which is probably from Latin praegnans "with child, pregnant, full" and thus the same word as pregnant (adj.1).ETD pregnant (adj.2).2
All uses seem to be derivable from the sense of "with child." But in some sources this English pregnant has been referred to French prenant, present participle of prendre "to take," or to the French present participle of preindre "press, squeeze, stamp, crush," from earlier priembre, from Latin premere "to press, hold fast, cover, crowd, compress." The two English adjectives are so confused as to be practically one word, if they were not always so.ETD pregnant (adj.2).3
"with child, impregnated, that has conceived in the womb," early 15c., from Latin praegnantem (nominative praegnans, originally praegnas) "with child," literally "before birth," probably from prae- "before" (see pre-) + root of gnasci "be born" (from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget").ETD pregnant (adj.1).2
The word tended to be avoided in polite conversation until c. 1950; modern euphemisms include anticipating, enceinte, expecting, in a family way, in a delicate (or interesting) condition. Old English terms included mid-bearne, literally "with child;" bearn-eaca, literally "child-adding" or "child-increasing;" and geacnod "increased." Among c. 1800 slang terms for "pregnant" was poisoned (in reference to the swelling).ETD pregnant (adj.1).3
by 1996, a modern term for what linguists had called "Pelasgian," the substrate language spoken in Greece before the Greeks arrived and from which they apparently borrowed many words. "Pelasgian" was considered a dialect of Indo-European, but now "it is generally agreed that the substrate was non-Indo-European" [Beekes], at least by Beekes. Earlier as an adjective in reference to religion, culture, etc. of the region before the arrival of the historical Greeks.ETD Pre-Greek (n.).2
also pre-heat, "to heat in advance of use or further preparation," 1878, from pre- "before" + heat (v.). Related: Preheated; preheating.ETD preheat (v.).2
1530s, "seizure, arrest," from Latin prehensionem (nominative prehensio) "a seizing," noun of action from past-participle stem of prehendere "to catch hold of, seize" (from prae- "before," see pre-, + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take"). Prison is a doublet. Use in philosophy is from 1925.ETD prehension (n.).2
"seizing or grasping, adapted for taking and holding," 1771, from French préhensile "adapted for grasping" (Buffon), from Latin prehensus, past participle of prehendere "to grasp, seize, get hold of," from prae- "before" (see pre-) + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take."ETD prehensile (adj.).2
Latin -hendere perhaps is related to hedera "ivy," via the notion of "clinging." De Vaan writes, "Of course, ivy is a climbing (or ground-creeping) plant, and one may surmise that its name means 'the grabbing one', but this is just a guess, especially since the morphology is uncommon: no s-stem of this root is attested elsewhere in IE."ETD prehensile (adj.).3
also pre-historic, "of or pertaining to times before recorded history, existing in or relating to time antecedent to the beginning of recorded history," 1851, perhaps modeled on French préhistorique; see pre- + historic. Related: Prehistorical.ETD prehistoric (adj.).2
also pre-history, "the human past prior to recorded history," 1866, perhaps a back-formation from prehistoric. Related: Prehistorian.ETD prehistory (n.).2
c. 1300, "to plunder, pillage, ravage," from prey (n.) and in part from Old French preer, earlier preder (c.1040), from Late Latin praedare, collateral form of Latin praedari "to take booty, plunder, pillage; catch animals as game," from praeda "booty, plunder; game hunted." Its sense of "to kill and devour" (an animal) is attested in English from mid-14c. Related: Preyed; preyer; preying.ETD prey (v.).2
mid-13c., preie, "animal hunted for food, that which is seized by any carnivorous animal to be devoured" (also, figuratively, of souls captured by Satan, etc.), also "goods taken in war," from Old French preie "booty, animal taken in the chase" (mid-12c., Modern French proie), from Latin praeda "booty, plunder; game hunted."ETD prey (n.).2
This is from earlier praeheda, literally "something seized before," from PIE *prai-heda-; for the first element see prae-; the second element is related to the second element in prehendere "to grasp, seize" (from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, to take").ETD prey (n.).3
The meaning "act of preying or seizing upon anything" is from early 14c.; bird of prey is from late 14c. (fowl of prey is mid-14c.).ETD prey (n.).4
1560s, "to prejudice;" 1570s, "to judge beforehand," from French préjuger (16c.), equivalent to Latin praejudicare "to judge or decide beforehand;" see pre- + judge (v.). Related: Prejudged; prejudging; prejudgment.ETD prejudge (v.).2
mid-15c., prejudicen, "to injure or be detrimental to," from prejudice (n.) and from Old French prejudiciier. The meaning "to affect or fill with prejudice, create a prejudice (against)" is from c. 1600. Related: Prejudiced; prejudicing.ETD prejudice (v.).2
c. 1300, "despite, contempt," from Old French prejudice "a prejudice, prejudgment; damage" (13c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prejudicium "injustice," from Latin praeiudicium "prior judgment, judicial examination before trial; damage, harm," from prae- "before" (see pre-) + iudicium "judgment," from iudex (genitive iudicis) "a judge" (see judge (n.)).ETD prejudice (n.).2
Meaning "injury, physical harm" is mid-14c., as is the legal sense of "detriment or damage caused by the violation of a legal right." Meaning "preconceived opinion" (especially but not necessarily unfavorable) is from late 14c. in English; now usually "decision formed without due examination of the facts or arguments necessary to a just and impartial decision." To terminate with extreme prejudice "kill" is by 1972, said to be CIA jargon.ETD prejudice (n.).3
early 15c., "causing prejudice, injurious to the rights, interests, etc. of another;" 1530s, "full of prejudice," from prejudice (n.) + -al (1), or else from Old French prejudicial and directly from Medieval Latin prejudicialis "injurious," from Latin praeiudicium.ETD prejudicial (adj.).2
Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to ask, entreat."ETD *prek-.2
It forms all or part of: deprecate; deprecation; expostulate; imprecate; imprecation; postulate; pray; prayer; precarious; precatory; prithee.ETD *prek-.3
It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit prasna-, Avestan frashna- "question;" Sanskrit prcchati, Avestan peresaiti "interrogates;" Latin precari "ask earnestly, beg, entreat;" Old Church Slavonic prositi, Lithuanian prašyti "to ask, beg;" Old High German frahen, German fragen, Old English fricgan "to ask" a question.ETD *prek-.4
early 14c., "office of a prelate;" late 14c., "system of church government by prelates," from Old French prelacie and directly from Medieval Latin praelatia (see prelate).ETD prelacy (n.).2
"pertaining to the condition before the Fall," 1834, from pre- "before" + Latin lapsus "a fall" (see lapse (n.)) + ending from unitarian, etc.ETD prelapsarian (adj.).2