Definition of Preterite

1. Noun. A term formerly used to refer to the simple past tense.

Exact synonyms: Preterit
Generic synonyms: Past, Past Tense

Definition of Preterite

1. a. & n. Same as Preterit.

Definition of Preterite

1. Adjective. (context: grammar of a tense) showing an action at a determined moment in the past. ¹

2. Noun. (grammar) The preterite tense, simple past tense: the grammatical tense that determines the specific initiation or termination of an action in the past. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Preterite

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Preterite

pretention
pretentions
pretentious
pretentiously
pretentiousness
pretentiousnesses
preter-
preter-human
preterhuman
preterient
preterimperfect
preterimperfects
preterist
preterists
preterit
preterite
preterite-present verb
preteriteness
preterites
preterition
preteritions
preteritive
preteritness
preterits
preterlapsed
preterlegal
preterm
preterm baby
preterm infant
preterminal

Literary usage of Preterite

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Native Writings in Massachusett by Ives Goddard, Kathleen Joan Bragdon (1988)
"Conjunct Preterite Negative Animate intransitive AI conjunct preterite ... Subjunctive Preterite The subjunctive preterite has an ending |-s| where the ..."

2. A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Or South-Indian Family of Languages by Robert Caldwell (1875)
"Native Tamil grammarians consider in, not»', the sign of the preterite; but as i, never in, is the form used by the preterite verbal participle, ..."

3. A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Or South-Indian Family of Languages by Robert Caldwell (1875)
"THE FORMATION OP THE Preterite BY SUFFIXING SOME PARTICLE OE SIGN OP PAST TIME. ... This mode of forming the preterite characterises most verbs ending in u ..."

4. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar by Wilhelm Gesenius, Thomas Jefferson Conant, Emil Roediger, Benjamin Davies (1846)
"It is a false view, which regards the so-called Preterite and Future not as tenses, ... As examples of the Preterite and Future used expressly to denote ..."

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