prehistory

[ pree-his-tuh-ree, -his-tree ]

noun

, plural pre·his·to·ries.

1. human history in the period before recorded events, known mainly through archaeological discoveries, study, research, etc.; history of prehistoric humans.
2. a history of the events or incidents leading to a crisis, situation, or the like.

Other Words From

• pre·his·to·ri·an [pree-hi-, stawr, -ee-, uh, n, -, stohr, -], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prehistory¹

First recorded in 1870–75; pre- + history

Example Sentences

On this day in prehistory, Los Angeles still lies beneath a shallow sea.

From Los Angeles Times

Greenhouse’s words are taken from “Reversing Roe,” a 2018 documentary on the prehistory and aftermath of the Supreme Court decision, available on Netflix.

From Los Angeles Times

Matthew Knight, senior curator of prehistory at National Museums Scotland, said the project had been "essentially a jigsaw puzzle."

From BBC

New analysis strongly suggests that Shanidar Z was an older female, perhaps in her mid-forties according to researchers -- a significant age to reach so deep in prehistory.

From Science Daily

Researchers noted the challenge of trying to interpret a collection of plants through the opaque lens of 2,000 years of prehistory.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• account
• annals
• biography
• record
• relation
• story
• tale