'pre-revolt' originates from Latin and English elements: the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae') meaning 'before', combined with 'revolt' (from Latin 'revolvere').

'revolt' changed from Latin 'revolvere' (re- + volvere) into Old French 'revolter', then into Middle English forms and eventually the modern English 'revolt'; 'pre-' comes from Latin 'prae' and was attached as a productive prefix to form compounds like 'pre-revolt'.

Initially the components meant 'before' (pre-) and 'to turn/roll back' (revolvere); together the compound's meaning has come to be simply 'before a revolt' with no sense of the original literal 'turning back.'