prejudicial
Meaning
causing harm or a negative effect; detrimental.
(law) causing prejudice or bias; damaging to a legal claim or case.
Structure
Usage
the judge ruled that the sensational media coverage was prejudicial to a fair trial.
smoking is prejudicial to your health.
her comments were considered prejudicial to the company's reputation.
Etymology
the word prejudicial is built from the latin components prae- (before) and judicium (judgment). its literal construction points to something formed or decided "before a proper judgment" has been made. this core idea evolved from the concrete legal concept of a premature or biased judgment into the broader modern sense of anything that causes harm or has a damaging effect, often by precluding fair consideration. the journey reflects a shift from a specific procedural notion to a general abstract adjective describing detrimental influence, while retaining its fundamental link to the concept of impaired judgment.
Analysis
- pre: from latin prae-, meaning "before". a prefix indicating precedence in time, place, or order. - judic: from latin judex (judge), via the combining form judic- (to judge). it relates to judgment or legal decision. - ial: from latin -ialis, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "pertaining to" or "characterized by".