prenominal, a. (n.)
(priːˈnɒmɪnəl)
[f. L. prænōmin-, stem of prænomen + -al1: cf. nominal.]
a. Pertaining to the prænomen or personal name, as distinguished from the surname; also, to the first word in binominal specific names.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. ii. vii. 102 So are they deceived in the names of Horse-raddish, Horse-mint, Bull⁓rush and many more: conceiving therein some prenominall consideration, whereas indeed that expression is but a Grecisme, by the prefix of hippos and bous..intending no more then great. 1847 Saxe Rape of Lock xxi, The patronymical name of the maid Was so completely overlaid With a long prænominal cover. 1882 Cornh. Mag. Feb. 219 Many other prenominal absurdities. |
b. Preceding a substantive. Also as n.
| 1961 Amer. Speech XXXVI. 163 Roughly speaking, the prenominal adjectivals will be only single, simplex (descriptive) adjectives. 1964 Language XL. 45 As a prenominal the genitive has two unique characteristics. 1965 Ibid. XLI. 283 Prenominal and postnominal modifiers. 1978 Ibid. LIV. 26 A prenominal numeral like cinq ‘five’ may be pronounced with a final consonant in all positions. |