The basic meaning of the prefix pre- is “before.” It comes from Latin prae, which means “before, in front.” In fact, the word prefix comes from prae plus fixus, a form of the Latin verb figere (“to fasten”). Pre- often appears in combination with verbs of Latin origin. For example, as early as the 16th century we have preconceive, preexist, and premeditate. Predispose and prepossess came into use in the 17th century, and prepay came into use in the 19th century.
