prenuclear

American  

[pree-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-, -kyuh-ler] / priˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu-, -kyə lər /

adjective

1. of or relating to the era before the development of nuclear weapons.

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Pronunciation

See nuclear.

Etymology

Origin of prenuclear

First recorded in 1950–55; pre- + nuclear

Example Sentences

“The threat is imminent, and the case against pre-emption rests on the misinterpretation of a standard that derives from prenuclear, pre-ballistic-missile times,” he wrote.

From The Guardian • Mar. 23, 2018