LESSON

1
Prefix: Pre- (PART 1)
Pre- is the Latin root meaning “before,” so it serves as a perfect place to
begin this book—a kind of prelude.

preamble (n.) prēˌambəl

An introduction to a text.
The most recognized preamble—the beginning of the United States
Constitution—was written by Thomas Jefferson.
This comes from the Latin for “walking before”; the Latin verb ambulare
means “to walk.” The word preface is a common synonym, though it usually
refers to an introduction to a book, whereas preamble refers to an
introduction to a formal document.

presage (v.) presij

To indicate something (usually bad) is about to happen.
The sudden loss of jobs presaged an economic downturn.
The Latin word ōmen is thought to be the origin for presage. Presage can
also be a noun, describing an incident or event that presages something.

prescient (adj.) preSH(ē)ənt

Having knowledge of something before it happens.
Kevin was so prescient—predicting the winners of the last five World Series
—that his friends joked he was psychic.
Scient comes from a root meaning “to know.” The less common nescient
plays on the same root (ne- meaning “not”) and describes somebody who is
ignorant.
predilection (n.) predlˈekSHən
A special fondness.
precipitate (adj.) prəˈsipətət
Rash, acting without thinking.
predicate (v.) ˈpredəkāt
To be based on.
presentiment (n.) prəˈzentəmənt
A feeling that something (typically bad) is about to happen.

ACTIVITY 1

Write the word that completes each sentence:

1. He was known to be _______________, once rushing out of his house
without his shoes.
2. She had a _______________ for small, quiet cafés, where she could
sit and read undisturbed.

Mark “S” if the meanings of the two words are similiar, “R” if they are
related, or “NR” if they are not related:
3. prescient and presage ______
4. preamble and predicate ______
 LESSON
2
Prefix: Pre- (PART 2)
precedent (n.) presədənt
Something that sets an example for how things are done in the future.
The teacher told the student that if she let him turn in his homework late, it
would set a precedent for the rest of the class to do the same.
Precedent is closely related to precede, which means “to go before.” Another
closely related word is unprecedented, meaning that something is unlike
anything that has come before it.

pretentious (adj.) prəˈtenSHəs

Acting more important than others by pretending to know more.
After returning from Europe, Dwight behaved in a pretentious way, speaking
with a foreign accent and telling all his friends they had no idea what they
were missing.
This word is related to pretend. Pretentious always has a negative
connotation, unlike its antonym, unpretentious, which is generally positive.

pretense (n.) prēˌtens

A claim or assertion not based on fact.
He finally dropped the pretense that everything was fine and began listing his
complaints.
Pretense is derived from the Latin verb praetendere meaning to “allege in
excuse” or “extend in front,” though the current meaning has diverged from
this. Pretense is closely related to pretentious, both of which are related to
pretend.
predecessor (n.) predəˌsesər
One that comes before, often a person who previously held a position
before passing it on to someone else.
precursor (n.) prēˈkərsər
Something that comes before another; used only for things, not for
people.
pretext (n.) prēˌtekst
A reason given for something that is not the actual reason.
precocious (adj.) prəˈkōSHəs
Developing early (usually in terms of ability).
preclude (v.) prəˈklo d
To make it impossible for something to happen.

ACTIVITY 2

Write the word that completes each sentence:

1. The five-year-old was clearly _______________, able to play
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons by ear.
2. A felony record can _______________ employment at many
companies.
3. The fire was without _______________: Never in the state’s history
had 50 percent of its forest burned down.

Mark “S” if the meanings of the two words are similiar, “R” if they are
related, or “NR” if they are not related:
4. precursor and predecessor ______
5. pretense and precedent ______
6. pretext and precocious ______