prepaschal
|pre-pas-chal|
🇺🇸
/ˌpriːˈpæskəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌpriːˈpæsk(ə)l/
before Easter/Passover
Etymology
'prepaschal' is formed from the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae', meaning 'before') + 'paschal' (from Late Latin 'paschalis', from Greek 'pascha', 'Passover').
'paschal' came into English via Late Latin 'paschalis' and Middle English 'paschal' (relating to Passover/Easter); modern English formed 'prepaschal' by adding the prefix 'pre-' to indicate 'before paschal'.
Originally 'paschal' primarily referred to the Jewish Passover; over time it broadened to include Christian Easter usages, and 'prepaschal' came to mean 'before Easter' or 'before the paschal feast'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
occurring before or relating to Easter (or, by extension, the Jewish Passover); belonging to the period preceding these feasts.
The cathedral held several prepaschal services to prepare the congregation for Easter.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 15:27