prefire

adjective

pre·​fire ˌprē-ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce prefire (audio)
variants or pre-fire
: existing or occurring before a fire
prefire building conditions
pre-fire evacuation planning
prefire London [=London before the Great Fire of London in 1666]
The forest, with the exception of some very old and large trees, will regenerate quickly—although it could take as long as 300 years before the worst-burnt areas return to their prefire majesty.M. Rogers and L. Wright

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefire was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near prefire

Cite this Entry

“Prefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefire. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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