preheat
UK: ˌpriːˈhiːt | US: ˌpriːˈhiːt
vt. to heat (something) beforehand
The word "preheat" combines the prefix "pre-" (from Latin prae-, meaning "before") with the root "heat" (from Old English hǣtan, meaning "to make warm"). This logical construction reflects the action of heating something in advance, commonly used in cooking (e.g., preheating an oven). The prefix "pre-" is widely applied in English to indicate prior action, while "heat" retains its core meaning, making the compound transparent and easy to understand.
Always preheat the oven before baking cookies.
The recipe instructs you to preheat the pan for two minutes.
Modern microwaves can preheat food automatically.
For best results, preheat the grill to 200°C.
The machine will preheat the water to the desired temperature.