pre-dorsal
|pre-dor-sal|
🇺🇸
/ˌpriːˈdɔːr.səl/
🇬🇧
/ˌpriːˈdɔː.səl/
before the back
Etymology
'pre-dorsal' is a Modern English formation combining the prefix 'pre-' and the adjective 'dorsal'. The prefix 'pre-' ultimately comes from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before', and 'dorsal' comes from Latin 'dorsalis' (from 'dorsum') meaning 'back'.
'dorsal' entered English via Old French from Latin 'dorsalis' (from 'dorsum'). The prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae-') was combined with 'dorsal' in Modern English to form the compound 'pre-dorsal'.
Initially the components literally meant 'before' + 'back' ('before the back'); over time the compound came to be used in specialized senses (anatomy, zoology, phonetics) retaining the core sense 'situated anterior to the dorsum'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated in front of the dorsal (back) surface; located anterior to the dorsum (used in anatomy, zoology).
The specimen displays a small pre-dorsal scale immediately before the dorsal fin.
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Adjective 2
in phonetics, describing articulation made with the front part of the dorsum (back) of the tongue (e.g., pre-dorsal consonants).
Some languages contrast pre-dorsal and post-dorsal articulations of certain consonants.
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Last updated: 2026/01/04 07:05