'prerevolutionary' originates from two elements: the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae') meaning 'before', and the adjective 'revolutionary', ultimately from Latin 'revolutio'/'revolvere' meaning 'a turning' or 'to turn back'.

'revolution' entered English via Old French/Latin ('revolutio'), 'revolutionary' developed as the adjective form in Modern English, and 'pre-' was joined as a productive prefix to make the compound adjective 'prerevolutionary' in modern usage.

Initially the components meant 'before' (pre-) and 'a turning/back-turn' (revolutio), so the compound simply denoted 'before a revolution'; over time it has retained that core meaning and is used broadly to describe conditions, attitudes, or institutions existing prior to a revolution.