An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A prefix meaning “before, prior to, in advance of, early, beforehand, in front of.”

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. pré-, from L. præ (adverb) “before.”

Etymology (PE): Piš- “before; in front,” from Mid.Pers. pêš “before, earlier,” O.Pers. paišiya “before; in the presence of.”