pre-flowering
|pre-flow-er-ing|
/priːˈflaʊərɪŋ/
before flowering
Etymology
'pre-flowering' originates from the Latin prefix 'pre-' (from 'prae'), where 'prae' meant 'before', combined with English 'flower' (from Old English 'flor'/'flōwan', ultimately from Proto-Germanic *blōmô), where 'flower' referred to the blossom of a plant.
'pre-flowering' formed by joining the prefix 'pre-' (Latin 'prae') with Middle/Modern English 'flowering' (from Old English roots) and became the modern compound 'pre-flowering' used in botanical contexts.
Initially built from elements meaning 'before' + 'blossom' (i.e., 'before the blossom'); over time it became a technical/botanical term meaning 'occurring or existing before the flowering stage'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the period or developmental stage before a plant begins to flower.
Growers monitored the vineyard during the pre-flowering to predict yield.
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Adjective 1
occurring or present before the flowering (blooming) stage of a plant; happening prior to bloom.
The pre-flowering stage is crucial for determining fruit set.
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Last updated: 2026/01/12 13:49