It's Greek To Me!

Greek and Latin Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes used in English
This page © 1999 by Nicholas E. Miller


Basic term

Meaning

Greek
Latin
Prefix
Suffix

ante

before

.
Yes
Yes
.

Examples

Definition

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ante (3)

(noun, verb) - from the basic word. = The money a poker player puts in a pool before getting his cards. To ante is to put in your money.

antebellum (4)

(adj.) - before + war. = Referring to the period before the US Civil War.

antecedent (2)

(adj.) - before + go. = Preceding or going before.

antecedent (2)

(noun) - before + go. = A cause, occurrence or thing which comes before.

antecedent (2)

In grammar, an antecedent is the word, phrase or clause to which a pronoun refers.

antedate (4)

(verb) - before + date. = To give a date earlier than the actual one or to precede in time.

antediluvian (5)

(adj.) - before + flood. = Something which is very old, or 'occurring before the flood in the bible.'

ante meridiem (3)

(adj., adv.) - before + noon. = Before noon (i.e. A.M.)

antemortem (5)

(adj.) - before + death. = Preceding death.

anterior (4)

(adj.) - From the basic word. = Prior in time or in front of something.

anteroom (3)

(noun) - before + room. = An outer room, often used as a waiting room.