Prefix

1. Before; used to form words meaning "in front of (in space)".
2. Before; used to form words meaning "before (in time)".

Usage notes

• This prefix is usually prefixed to words without using a hyphen (for example, prefix, predate). A hyphen is used in the following cases:
  • Where excluding a hyphen would be likely to lead to a mispronunciation of the word because "pre" appears not to be a complete syllable (for example, "pre-yaw course", which could be read as "prey aw course" if unhyphenated).
  • Always in British English before the letter e (for example, pre-existing)
  • Often in British English before other vowels (for example, pre-operative);
  • Always in all varieties of English before a character other than a letter (for example, pre-1960).

Prefix

1. Before; used to form words meaning "in front of" or "before".
2. Before; used to form words meaning superiority or excellence.

Prefix

1. Prefix prepended to adjectives to create an adjective denoting an excessiveness of a feature.