pretrial
UK[ˌpriːˈtraɪəl]US[ˌpriːˈtraɪəl]
adj
happening or existing before a trial in a court of law
n
a hearing or examination held before a trial begins
Morpheme Breakdown
pre
trial
pre
before
trial
judicial examination
Etymology
the word 'pretrial' is a modern english compound formed by combining the latin-derived prefix 'pre-' with the noun 'trial'. the prefix 'pre-', from latin 'prae', has consistently carried the meaning of "before" or "in front of" since its proto-indo-european root per-. the word 'trial' entered english via anglo-french from latin 'trialis', relating to a "trying" or testing, which itself evolved from the verb 'triare', meaning to sift or to try. the logical combination of these elements directly creates the modern meaning: pertaining to the procedures, events, or hearings that occur before the formal judicial examination of a case in court.
Analysis
Structure: pre (before) + trial (judicial examination)
pre- is a prefix of Latin origin, meaning "before". trial is a noun of Anglo-French and Latin origin, meaning a formal examination to decide a case.
Examples
the judge ordered a pretrial conference to discuss the evidence.
the defendant was released on bail during the pretrial period.
the new evidence was submitted in a pretrial motion.