previously
UK[ˈpriːviəsli]US[ˈpriːviəsli]
adv
At a time before the present; formerly.
adv
Used to refer to a previous statement or point in a discussion.
Morpheme Breakdown
previ
ous
ly
previ
before
ous
adjective suffix
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
The word 'previously' is built upon the Latin adjective praevius, which literally meant "going before on the road," from prae- (before) and via (road, way). This concrete image of spatial precedence evolved into the temporal sense of "existing or occurring before in time." The English adjective 'previous' was formed by adding the adjectival suffix '-ous' to a shortened form of this Latin root, giving the meaning "coming before." Finally, the standard adverbial suffix '-ly' was appended, transforming the adjective into an adverb that specifically describes when an action occurred. Thus, the journey from the literal Latin "before the way" to the modern abstract sense of "at an earlier time" is a clear example of a spatial metaphor being applied to time.
Analysis
Structure: previ (before) + ous (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix)
- previ: From Latin praevius (leading the way, going before), from prae- (before) + via (way, road). Acts as the core root.
- ous: A suffix of Latin origin (-osus) used to form adjectives meaning "full of" or "having the quality of".
- ly: A suffix of Old English origin (-līce) used to form adverbs from adjectives.
Examples
She had previously worked as a teacher before becoming a writer.
As previously stated, all applications must be submitted by Friday.
The building was previously a bank but has now been converted into apartments.