What is pre meaning prefix?

Pre is a prefix and a word element that is added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. It means "before" or "prior to" and is derived from the Latin word "prae". When added to a word, it alters its meaning to signify that it happened or existed before a specific event or time. For example, "pre-arranged" means arranged beforehand, "precautionary" means taken as a precaution, and "prehistory" means the period before written records. The use of prefixes like pre can help in understanding and defining new words and can make communication clearer and more precise.