preliterate
adjective
pre·lit·er·ate
ˌprē-ˈli-t(ə-)rət 
1
a
: not yet employing writing as a cultural medium
b
: lacking the use of writing
2
: antedating the use of writing
preliterate
noun
Examples of preliterate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The sheer variety of precious objects alerts 21st-century visitors to the ingenuity that kept our preliterate ancestors at the top of the planet's food chain.
—
Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2021
The likelihood of preliterate peoples first inventing tales that then somehow corresponded closely to later fossil finds seems like a stunning coincidence.
—Timothy John Burbery, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2021
The enormous number of dog burials unearthed from the period between 14,000 and 4,000 years ago indicates the esteem preliterate societies had for dogs.
—Longreads, 22 Mar. 2018
Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2021
The likelihood of preliterate peoples first inventing tales that then somehow corresponded closely to later fossil finds seems like a stunning coincidence.
—Timothy John Burbery, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2021
The enormous number of dog burials unearthed from the period between 14,000 and 4,000 years ago indicates the esteem preliterate societies had for dogs.
—Longreads, 22 Mar. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preliterate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near preliterate
Cite this Entry
“Preliterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preliterate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
preliterate
adjective
pre·lit·er·ate
(ˈ)prē-ˈlit-ə-rət
-ˈli-trət
: existing before or lacking the use of writing
preliterate societies
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