pre-, prae-

Descriptive of something which occurs or happens before a funeral takes place: The family invited friends and acquaintances to a premortuary tribute to their mother prior to the interment at the cemetery.

A reference to a period before the creation of the world; antemundane: In the book Jack was reading, the author expressed himself about what he thought the premundane time must have been like before the existence of life on earth.

Concerning the preparations a pregnant woman or her unborn baby might need: Lucy Timmons decided to attend a prenatal yoga class each evening in advance of giving birth.

Lucy's friend wanted to take prenatal vitamins to make sure she was getting the best nutrition for her new baby.

1. A pregnant woman: The exercise class in the evening was especially good for prenatals who were going to give birth within a few months.
2. A dietary supplement which a woman who is expecting a baby should take: Dr. Smithson suggested that Mary take iron prenatals with her breakfast every day.

Pertaining to the formation of a tumor preceding its development: Dr. Smithson detected a sign of a possible neoplasm in Jane's breast, but after a number of doctors' examinations and a small surgical operation, the preneoplastic condition turned out to benign!

Relating to an event or events that take place before a wedding: Before Jack and Jill were married, Jill's friends decided to have a prenuptial wedding shower for her.

A written document signed by a couple who plan to marry: Jim's parents thought that he and his fiancée should have a prenuptial agreement made in which financial matters, including rights following a divorce or the death of one spouse, are legally detailed.

Concerning something that precedes surgery: Before Jane went into hospital for her operation the following day, she was given a list of preoperative instructions to follow.

To make or to determine that something is to be done in advance of an action: Catherine was such a romantic person that she preordained that her meeting of a young man on a cruise ship was the beginning of a life long relationship.

1. The act of planning, studying, training, or getting ready for something: In preparation for the play, Susan had to learn all of her lines by memory.
2. The activity of getting something ready by using heat: Preparation for dinner took quite a while because the casserole had to bake in the oven for about 45 minutes until it was ready to eat.
3. A substance made by following a formula: The face cream was a preparation or mixture especially made for sensitive skins.
4. In music, a note that creates a dissonant chord is first perceived in a consonant chord: Joan learned in her music class that a preparation involved the introduction of dissonance by presenting the dissonant tone as a consonant one in the prior chord.

1. To make ready in advance for some use, activity, or purpose: Nancy and her friend Susan prepared themselves for the upcoming hiking tour in two days.

Before going shopping, Bruce prepared a shopping list of all the things they needed for the week.
2. To make someone receptive or able to deal with some information: The policewoman asked Jill to sit down to prepare her for the bad news regarding her husband.
3. To get a meal ready for cooking or eating: In the late afternoon Lynn started to prepare dinner for her family.
4. To put into an oral or written form: Mr. Simmons prepared his speech to the administrative team of the company.
5. To make oneself ready for something: Ivy prepared herself for the spontaneous ride in the wagon to the next farm.

Concerning the time before birth: The preparturient cow was enjoying the attention she was getting from the owners just prior to the delivery of her offspring.

1. Beyond the usual limits in weight, force, importance, or influence: The preponderance of factory buildings has made the city less healthy than it once was because of the pollutions in the air.
2. Excess numbers or being greater in amounts: The preponderance of poor people is increasing more and more on a global scale.

Estimates indicate that there is a preponderance of women among the older populations.

There is a preponderance of lawyers in the U.S. Congress compared to other professions.

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Pertaining to the main thing or that which is more important or has more influence than someone or something else: There seems to be preponderant situations in which there is a lack of jobs for people all around the world. © ALL rights are reserved.

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To be more important or significant: When anything preponderates something else, it outweighs it in status and distinction.

There were many kinds of animals at the local shelter, however cats preponderated in this one.

The disadvantages of the current economy is preponderating over the advantages.