'pre-Easter' originates from the Latin prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae'), where 'pre-' meant 'before', combined with 'Easter', which originates from Old English, specifically the word 'Ēastre'.

'pre-' comes from Latin 'prae' and has been used as an English prefix meaning 'before'; 'Easter' changed from the Old English word 'Ēastre' (from Proto-Germanic roots) and eventually became the modern English word 'Easter'.

Initially, the combined form meant 'before Easter', and over time it has retained that same general meaning in modern usage.