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.
90 / 94
verb
prevent
prih-VENT/prɪˈvent/
To stop something from happening or someone from doing something.
Etymology
“Come before” first suggested acting ahead of someone or anticipating an event. That anticipation developed into stopping something before it could happen.
Related word entries
- preach
- preamble
- precaution
- precede
- precedent
- precept
- preceptor
- precinct
- precipice
- precipitateSolid separation from a solution
- precipitateOverly hasty
- precipitateBring about suddenly
- preclude
- precocity
- precognition
- precursor
- predecessor
- predestination
- predicament
- predicateDependence on a premise
- predicateAssertion about a subject
- predicationBasis for action or reasoning
- predicationAssertion about a subject
- predict
- prediction
- predictive
- predictor
- predilection
- predominant
- predominate
- preface
- prefect
- prefer
- preference
- prefix
- prehistoric
- prejudge
- prejudiceHarm to legal interests
- prejudiceUnfair bias
- prelate
- prelim
- preliminary
- prelude
- premature
- premeditation
- premise
- premonition
- premonitory
- preoccupation
- preparationGetting ready
- preparationPrepared substance
- preparatory
- prepare
- preponderance
- preposition
- preposterous
- prerogative
- presage
- prescience
- prescient
- prescribe
- prescription
- prescriptive
- presentiment
- preservation
- preservative
- preserve
- preside
- president
- presidium
- prestoVery fast musical tempo
- prestoSudden result
- presumeTake liberties
- presumeAssume to be true
- presumptionArrogant boldness
- presumptionAssumption
- presumptive
- presumptuous
- presuppose
- presupposition
- pretend
- pretense
- pretension
- pretentious
- pretext
- prevail
- prevalence
- prevalent
- prevarication
- prevent
- prevention
- previous
- provostAcademic administrator
- provostMilitary police officer