pre-diluvian
|pre-dil-u-vi-an|
/ˌpriːdɪˈluːviən/
before the Flood; extremely old/outdated
Etymology
'pre-diluvian' originates from Latin via Medieval Latin, specifically the Medieval Latin 'praediluvianus', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'diluvi-' (from 'diluvium') meant 'flood'.
'pre-diluvian' changed from Medieval Latin 'praediluvianus' into early English forms such as 'prediluvian' or 'pre-diluvian' and eventually became the modern English adjective 'pre-diluvian'.
Initially it meant 'before the Flood' in a biblical sense; over time it acquired a figurative sense of 'extremely old or out of date' that is common in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or thing from a time before the Flood (literal) or, figuratively, someone/something very old or out of date.
He joked that he was a pre-diluvian who couldn't understand the new app.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
belonging to or existing before the biblical Flood (Noah's Flood); ancient, from a very early time.
The fossils were clearly pre-diluvian and dated to a period long before recorded history.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
figurative: extremely old-fashioned, outdated, or antiquated.
His views on technology seem positively pre-diluvian compared with current practices.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/02 19:05