'pre-predicative' originates from Latin elements via English: the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae-') and the adjective element 'predicative' (from Medieval/Latin 'praedicativus'/'predicativus'), where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'praedicare' meant 'to proclaim; to predicate'.

'pre-predicative' developed by combining the English prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae-') with the adjective 'predicative' (from Medieval Latin 'predicativus', itself from Latin 'praedicare'/'praedicatum'); 'predicativus' became English 'predicative', and the compound 'pre-predicative' is a modern English formation.

Initially related elements ('praedicare'/'predicativus') were concerned with 'proclaiming' or 'relating to a predicate'; over time the sense narrowed in grammar to 'relating to the predicate', and with the prefix 'pre-' it now specifically denotes 'occurring before the predicate'.