Meaning & Definition of word "Prehistoric"
Prehistoric
/priː.hɪsˈtɒr.ɪk/
adjective:
- 1. Relating to or denoting the period before written records.
- Example: The prehistoric era is filled with mysteries that scientists are still trying to unravel.
- 2. Referring to ancient times, especially before recorded history.
- Example: Archaeologists discovered prehistoric cave paintings that date back thousands of years.
- 3. Characterized by the absence of written language.
- Example: The prehistoric cultures relied on oral traditions to pass down their stories.
- 4. Relating to the remote past, especially before human history.
- Example: The fossil remains of that body suggest it lived in a prehistoric world, far different from ours.
- 5. Existing or occurring in a time before history was recorded.
- Example: The museum features a section dedicated to prehistoric animals that once roamed the earth.
Etymology
●From the Latin 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'historia' meaning 'history'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
prehistoric times:
The period in history before written records.
prehistoric man:
Refers to early humans before written history.
Related Words
anthropology:
The study of human societies and cultures and their development.
archaeology:
The study of human history and prehistory through excavation and analysis of artifacts.
paleontology:
The branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.
Slang Meanings of prehistoric
Meaning: Something outdated or very old.
● Example Sentence: That computer is prehistoric; it can't even run modern software.
Meaning: Used to describe something that feels ancient in terms of relevance.
● Example Sentence: His fashion choices are so prehistoric.