pre-, prae-

1. To affix a prefix to something: Mrs. Smith told her student, Jill, that she would need to prepose "dis" to the word "cover" in order to create another word known as "discover".
2. To place a word, or words, before another one in a sentence: When writing a formal letter, be sure to prepose the title of the addressee correctly.
3. To make an advanced arrangement: Mr. and Mrs. Lawson's plans preposed Susan's suggestion that they go together to the ice rink the following day.

1. A word that indicates or shows the relationship between its object (the noun or pronoun following it) and other words in a sentence: The most common prepositions show direction, as "through the door", time, as"during his sleep", and possession, like "with Susan's mother".

In the sentence, "Please put the glass on the table", the word "on" is a preposition that indicates the relationship of the "glass" with the "table".

In "It will be time to catch the train in one hour", "in" is the preposition.

2. A word that, when combined with pronouns, nouns, or noun phrases, indicates a position in time or spaces, motions, agencies, relationships, or purposes: Prepositions govern their objects by deciding which words or phrases their objects may be associated with. "The houses by the road were all sold yesterday." "Road" is the object of the preposition and "by" determines that "road" will be associated with "houses".

3. Etymology: from Latin praepositionem, praepositio, "a putting before", from praepositus, past participle of praeponere, "to put before"; from prae, "before" + ponere "to put, to place, to set".

1. Relating to a word or phrase that is combined so that it is used to describe a place, a location, or a time: In the sentence, "Put the vase on top of the bookcase", the phrase "on top of" is a prepositional adjectival phrase describing the relationship or position of the vase with the bookcase.
2. Concerning a grammatical construction that is followed by a noun or a pronoun either of which may be made of two or more elements and have modifiers: A prepositional phrase that describes a noun or a pronoun is identified as adjectival.

Examples of adjectival prepositional phrases include the following:

Pertaining to how a phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb by pointing out where, when, in what manner, to what degree or to what extent:

1. To preoccupy the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts or feelings: Jack was prepossessed and consumed with sorrow of losing his wife in the car accident.
2. To influence beforehand against or in favor of someone or something; to prejudice: Joan's mother was quite biased and prepossessed of her daughter being the most beautiful girl in her class at school.
3. To impress favorably in advance or beforehand: Seeing the young and beautiful violist on stage prepossessed the audience even before she started playing!

1. The condition of being preoccupied with feelings, thoughts, opinions, or objects: Doug's immersion and prepossession in learning about reptiles quite impressed his parents!
2. An opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence: Mrs. Smart was absorbed with the prepossession that she wasn't going to like her new job even before she met her colleagues and boss, who were actually very nice people!

1. A reference to something, as a proposal or as an attempt, as being contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd: It would be a preposterous idea to try to shovel snow with a dustpan.
2. Relating to a thing or a situation which is completely devoid of wisdom or good sense: Sally had a preposterous excuse for not going to school just because she had not done her homework assignments.
3. Etymology: from Latin praeposterus, "absurd, contrary to nature"; literally, "before-behind"; from prae-, "before" + posterus, "subsequent, coming after." © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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1. Regarding something or an individual that is greater in power, influence, or force than another or others; predominant: Mr. Smith had a prepotent position with preeminent significance in the local firm in the city.
2. Concerning the quality of something which has great influence or superiority: The prepotent magazine in the country was noted for its fantastic photos throughout the world!
3. In genetics, descriptive of the condition of dominance in an animal, a person, or a plant: Peter's father evidently was the prepotent parent of the two, because Peter had brown eyes like his father and not blue eyes like his mother.

Pertaining to something which takes place or is done before dinner: In anticipation of the evening meal, Jack and Jill first took a preprandial walk around the block and then had a preprandial sherry on the balcony.

Relating to symptoms, or to the period of time, prior to the onset of a psychosis: Dr. Smithson's opinion of Tom's prepsychotic behaviour, loss of contact with reality, and disorganized speech denoted that his mental condition needed help immediately!

Pertaining to how a person develops prior to the time when sex glands function: Nancy's parents thought that she was growing prepuberally because, being 11 years old, all the normal symptoms of a young woman were appearing.

Relating to the time of adolescence before sex glands start to function; frequently accompanied by accelerated body development: Nancy was at a prepubertal age and in 5th grade when her period began, and because this was quite early, she had to go to the doctor for a check-up.

The period of life two or three years preceding pubescence: When she was at the age of prepuberty, her parents thought that she ought to see a doctor because of slow and retarded growth.

An individual during the time between childhood and maturity: The girls in school who were prepubescents were all shown a film informing them what to expect in the next few years when they become teenagers.

Referring to the stage of life just before sexual characteristics appear in children: Mrs. Lawson loved teaching grade 5 in school when the children were still at the prepubescent age.