pre-sunrise
|pre-sun-rise|
/ˌpriːˈsʌn.raɪz/
before sunrise
Etymology
'pre-' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'prae', where 'prae-' meant 'before'; 'sunrise' is formed from Old English elements 'sunne' (sun) + 'rīsian' (to rise).
'pre-sunrise' is a Modern English compound formed by attaching the prefix 'pre-' to the noun 'sunrise.' 'Sunrise' evolved from Old English roots combining 'sunne' and the verb 'rīsan' (to rise), and the prefix 'pre-' came into English via Latin 'prae' through Old French and Middle English.
Initially, the parts meant 'before' (prae-) and 'the sun's rising' (sun + rise); over time they have been combined into the compound 'pre-sunrise,' whose meaning is simply 'before sunrise' and is used as an adjective or noun.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the time or period just before sunrise (the early-morning hours before the sun appears).
The pre-sunrise was the coldest part of the day.
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Adjective 1
occurring or existing before sunrise; happening in the period immediately before the sun rises.
They went for a pre-sunrise walk along the beach.
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Last updated: 2025/10/03 16:21