predate

See also pre-date

English

Etymology 1

From pre- 'before' + date

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpriːˌdeɪt/, /ˌpriːˈdeɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (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 more correct term for this usage.)

   The Japanese 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

From predation, predator

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpriːdeɪt/

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

Related terms

• predation
• predator

Anagrams

• adepter
• red tape
• retaped
• tapered

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Italian

Verb

predate

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