preexistent
|pre-ex-is-tent|
/ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪstənt/
exist before
Etymology
'preexistent' originates from the Latin prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before') combined with 'existent' ultimately from Latin 'exsistere'/'existere' meaning 'to stand forth, to exist'.
'exsistere' (Latin) gave rise to Medieval/Modern Latin forms and French 'exister', which entered English as 'exist'; the formative prefix 'pre-' was attached in English to form 'preexistent' (or earlier hyphenated 'pre-existent').
Initially it conveyed the idea of 'existing beforehand' and has retained that basic meaning of 'existing prior to' or 'having existed previously'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
existing before something else or before the beginning of time; having existed previously or earlier.
They argued that the soul was preexistent and existed before the body.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/03 23:51