preformational
|pre-for-ma-tion-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌpriːfɔrˈmeɪʃənəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌpriːfɔːˈmeɪʃənəl/
before formation
Etymology
'preformational' originates from the English formation of prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before') + 'formation' (from Latin 'formatio' meaning 'a forming') plus the adjectival suffix '-al' (from Latin '-alis').
'preformational' changed from the scientific coinage combining 'preformation' (formed from 'pre-' + 'formation') with the suffix '-al'; 'formation' itself entered English via Old French 'formation' from Latin 'formatio' (from 'formare', 'to form').
Initially it specifically meant 'pertaining to the biological theory of preformation'; over time it has been used more broadly to mean 'occurring before or relating to formation' in other contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or based on the theory of preformation (the idea that organisms develop from miniature versions of themselves) or more generally occurring or existing before formation.
The historian described a preformational view of social structures that emphasized inherited roles over emergent ones.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/27 18:11