rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: prae-
Latin

prae-

before, in front of

Forms

  • prae-
  • pre- — The usual English form, often transmitted through French.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *prai, ‘before,’ related to an older family of words for forward position.

Note

The same relationship can locate something earlier in time or ahead in space.

66 / 94
Close view of a hand sprinkling clearly drawn salt crystals from a small spoon onto food in a plain preservation vessel; salt as added substance is central, restrained food depiction with dark pen hatching, no labels or recipe instructions.
noun / adjective

preservative

prih-ZUR-vuh-tiv/prizˈɝvʌtɪv/

A substance or quality that prevents spoilage, decay, or loss.

Etymology
preLatinbefore, in front of
+servLatinkeep, preserve, or watch over
+ativeLatinhaving a tendency or connection with an action

The pieces express ‘tending to guard beforehand.’ The adjective meaning ‘protective’ became a noun for something that keeps things safe, including a substance added to prevent spoilage.

Full entry

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