prelapsarian, a.
(priːlæpˈsɛərɪən)
[f. pre- B. 1 d + L. laps-us fall, after infralapsarian, etc.]
Pertaining to the condition before the Fall.
Quot. 1934 is taken by ‘H. MacDiarmid’ from an unknown source.
| 1879 M. D. Conway Demonol. II. iv. xix. 225 A prelapsarian perfection symbolized by nudity. 1934 ‘H. MacDiarmid’ Stony Limits 65 ‘The buoyant Prelapsarian naturalness of a country girl.’ 1949 Auden Nones (1952) 36 Her pallid affected heroes Began their hectic quest for the prelapsarian man. 1972 Time 22 May 32/2 Nature unspoiled, inhabited by prelapsarian man. 1977 Daily Tel. 24 Mar. 15/5 Glenda Jackson's evocation of poet Stevie Smith suggests a woman of prelapsarian innocence. |