prehistoric

/'pri:his'tɔrik/

Thân thiện

A museum visitor looks at a display of prehistoric stone tools.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Belonging to or existing in times before recorded history: Refers to the period of time before written records were kept.
   • Of or relating to times before written history: Pertaining to the study, artifacts, or characteristics of that ancient period.
   • No longer fashionable; very old-fashioned: Used informally to describe something that is considered outdated or obsolete.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Scientists study prehistoric bones to learn about dinosaurs. (This describes things from the time before recorded history.)
  • Prehistoric cave paintings were discovered in France. (This relates to the period before written records.)
  • His views on management are completely prehistoric. (This informal usage describes something as outdated.)

Advanced Usage

• "prehistoric times": The era before written history began.
  • Humans first used tools in prehistoric times.
• Used informally as a humorous or critical intensifier for "very old-fashioned."
  • We need to update these prehistoric computer systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Prehistory (noun): The period of time before written records.
  • The course covers human prehistory.
• Prehistorically (adverb): In a manner relating to prehistory.
  • The site was prehistorically significant.

Synonyms

• Ancient: Belonging to the very distant past.
• Primordial: Existing at or from the beginning of time.
• Antediluvian: Extremely old or old-fashioned (often humorous).
• Outdated: No longer current or modern.

Antonyms

• Modern: Relating to the present or recent times.
• Contemporary: Belonging to or occurring in the present.
• Current: Of the present time.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• From prehistoric times: An expression emphasizing that something is extremely ancient.
  • This tradition dates from prehistoric times.
• (as) old as the hills / (as) old as prehistoric times: An idiom meaning very old indeed.
  • That joke is as old as prehistoric times.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. no longer fashionable
   • my mother has these prehistoric ideas about proper clothes
2. of or relating to times before written history
   • prehistoric archeology
3. belonging to or existing in times before recorded history
   • prehistoric settlements
   • prehistoric peoples

Từ đồng nghĩa

• prehistorical