Which prefix meaning 'before' is part of the root of 'predict'?

Which prefix meaning 'before' is part of the root of 'predict'?

• A. Pre-
• B. Post-
• C. Re-
• D. Anti-

Answer: (A)

Think about how prefixes change the meaning of a base word. In predict, the part that conveys "before" is pre-. It attaches to the root dict, which comes from Latin dicere meaning “to say.” Put together, pre- plus dict gives predict, literally "to say before"—to foretell or forecast something before it happens. The other prefixes have different senses: post- means after, re- means again or back, and anti- means against. Since only pre- signals timing ahead of something, it’s the correct choice.

Think about how prefixes change the meaning of a base word. In predict, the part that conveys "before" is pre-. It attaches to the root dict, which comes from Latin dicere meaning “to say.” Put together, pre- plus dict gives predict, literally "to say before"—to foretell or forecast something before it happens. The other prefixes have different senses: post- means after, re- means again or back, and anti- means against. Since only pre- signals timing ahead of something, it’s the correct choice.