Prejudice

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɹɛdÍ¡Ê’É™dɪs/

Alternative forms

• præjudice archaic

Origin

From Old French prejudice, from Latin praeiūdicium ("previous judgment or damage"), from prae- ("before") + iūdicium ("judgment").

Full definition of prejudice

Noun

1. (countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.
• unknown date MacaulayThough often misled by prejudice and passion, he was emphatically an honest man.
2. (countable) Any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.
3. (countable) An irrational hostile attitude, fear or hatred towards a particular group, race or religion.I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.
4. (obsolete) Knowledge formed in advance; foresight, presaging.
• Spenser Faerie Queene, II.ix:the first did in the forepart sit,
  That nought mote hinder his quicke preiudize:
  He had a sharpe foresight, and working wit ...
5. (obsolete) Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
• unknown date ShakespeareEngland and France might, through their amity,
  Breed him some prejudice.

Derived terms

• law without prejudice – without affecting a legal interest
• in prejudice of – to the detriment or injury of
• to the prejudice of – with resulting harm to

Verb

1. (transitive) To have a negative impact on someone's position, chances etc.
2. (transitive) To cause prejudice.

Related terms

• prejudge
• prejudiced