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Definition of the preterite noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

the preterite

noun
 
/ðə ˈpretərət/
 
/ðə ˈpretərət/
(North American English also preterit)
[singular] (grammar)
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  1. a form of a verb that expresses the past
    Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘bygone, former’): from Latin praeteritus ‘gone by’, past participle of praeterire, from praeter ‘past, beyond’ + ire ‘go’.
See the preterite in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: the preterite

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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