pre-millennial
|pre-mil-len-ni-al|
/ˌpriːmɪˈlɛn.i.əl/
(premillennial)
before the millennium
Etymology
'premillennial' originates from Latin and Medieval Latin, specifically the prefix 'pre-' from Latin 'prae' and 'millennium' from Medieval Latin 'millennium,' where 'mille' meant 'thousand' and 'annus' meant 'year'.
'premillennial' developed from the combination of Latin 'prae' + Medieval Latin 'millennium' and entered English usage (particularly in theological contexts) as 'premillennial' in the 19th century.
Initially it literally meant 'before the thousand years'; over time it came to be used specifically for the theological doctrine that Christ will return before the millennium.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
occurring before a millennium; existing or situated prior to a period of a thousand years.
The artifacts were dated to a pre-millennial era.
Antonyms
Adjective 2
relating to or supporting the doctrine in Christian eschatology that Christ will return before the thousand-year reign (the millennium) — i.e., premillennial in theological usage.
He adopted a pre-millennial interpretation of the prophecy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/06 04:31