predate

See also: pre-date

English

Etymology 1

From pre- +‎ date

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɹiːˌdeɪt/, /ˌpɹiːˈdeɪt/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (UK)(file)

Verb

predate (third-person singular simple present predates, present participle predating, simple past and past participle predated)

  1. To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".)
  2. (transitive) To exist or to occur before something else; to antedate.
    The Chinese use of Pascal's Triangle predates its discovery by Blaise Pascal.
Usage notes

The transitive sense of moving an event to an earlier point is the proper one for "predate." "Antedate" is the correct term for occurring before something else. These terms are frequently misused even in educated writing.

Synonyms
  • (to designate a date earlier): antedate
Antonyms
  • (to designate a date earlier): postdate

Noun

predate (plural predates)

  1. A publication, such as a newspaper or magazine, that is issued with a printed date later than the date of issue.

Etymology 2

Back-formation from predation or predator.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɹɪˈdeɪt/

Verb

predate (third-person singular simple present predates, present participle predating, simple past and past participle predated)

  1. To prey upon something.
Synonyms
  • (to prey upon): prey

Anagrams

Italian

Verb

predate

  1. second-person plural present indicative of predare
  2. second-person plural imperative of predare
  3. feminine plural of predato
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