preocular
|pre-oc-u-lar|
🇺🇸
/priːˈɑːkjələr/
🇬🇧
/priːˈɒkjʊlə/
before the eye
Etymology
'preocular' originates from Latin, specifically the prefix 'prae-' and the root 'oculus', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'oculus' meant 'eye'.
'preocular' changed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin formations such as 'praeocularis' (prae- + ocul- + -aris) and eventually entered English as the technical adjective 'preocular'.
Initially it meant 'before the eye' in a literal anatomical sense, and over time this specialized meaning has been retained in scientific and descriptive contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated in front of the eye; anterior to the eye (used especially in anatomical descriptions, e.g. scales or structures before the eye in reptiles or insects).
The snake's preocular scale lies directly in front of the eye.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 10:30