predate

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See also pre-date

Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology 1

From pre- 'before' + date

[edit] Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈpriːˌdeɪt/, /ˌpriːˈdeɪt/
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[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to predate

Third person singular
predates

Simple past
predated

Past participle
predated

Present participle
predating

to 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 more correct term for this usage.)
    The Japanese use of Pascal's Triangle predates its discovery by Blaise Pascal.
[edit] 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.

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

[edit] Noun

Singular
predate

Plural
predates

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.

[edit] Etymology 2

From predation, predator

[edit] Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈpriːdeɪt/

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to predate

Third person singular
predates

Simple past
predated

Past participle
predated

Present participle
predating

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

  1. To prey upon something.
[edit] Synonyms
  • (to prey upon): prey
[edit] Related terms

[edit] Anagrams


[edit] Italian

[edit] Verb

predate

  1. Second-person plural present tense of predare.
  2. Second-person plural imperative of predare.
  3. Feminine plural of predato.