ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prehistoric

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˌpɹihɪˈstɔɹɪk// UK //pɹˌiːhɪstˈɒɹɪk// pre·his·toric

adj. relating to the very long period of time before people started writing down history. It describes things from the era of dinosaurs or early humans.

adj. relating to or existing in the period before written records. Often used to describe geological eras or early human civilizations.


SIMPLE

The museum has a large collection of prehistoric tools.

CONTEXTUAL

Archaeologists discovered prehistoric cave paintings that show how early humans hunted large animals.

COMPLEX

The discovery of prehistoric remains in the melting glacier provided scientists with unprecedented data regarding the diet and health of humans living thousands of years ago.

Synonyms
Origin

From pre- (“before”) + historic, q.v., similar to slightly earlier ante-historic.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun. Can be used figuratively to describe something extremely old-fashioned or out of date.

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