pre-war
UK: ˌpriːˈwɔː | US: ˌpriːˈwɔːr
adj. occurring or existing before a war, especially World War II.
The word "pre-war" combines the prefix "pre-" (from Latin prae, meaning "before") with the noun "war" (from Old English wyrre, meaning "armed conflict"). The term emerged in the early 20th century, primarily to describe conditions or events preceding major wars, notably World War II. The prefix "pre-" is widely used in English to denote temporal precedence, while "war" retains its core meaning of large-scale conflict. Together, they form a clear, logical compound indicating a time frame relative to war.
The pre-war economy was marked by industrial growth and optimism.
Many pre-war buildings were destroyed during the bombing raids.
She collected pre-war memorabilia, including posters and newspapers.
Pre-war tensions influenced diplomatic relations across Europe.
The novel depicts pre-war life in vivid detail.