preliterate

[ pree-lit-er-it ]
/ priˈlɪt ər ɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR preliterate ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Anthropology.

lacking a written language; nonliterate: a preliterate culture.
occurring before the development or use of writing.

Origin of preliterate

First recorded in 1920–25; pre- + literate

Words nearby preliterate

preliminary, preliminary sat/national merit qualifying test, prelimit, prelims, prelingually deaf, preliterate, preload, prelog, prelogical thinking, preloved, prelude

Words related to preliterate

simple, naive, rudimentary, underdeveloped, unsophisticated, undeveloped, savage, natural, barbarian, raw, animal, wild, rough, austere, barbarous, childlike, fierce, ignorant, rude, uncivilized

British Dictionary definitions for preliterate

preliterate
/ (priːˈlɪtərɪt) /

adjective

relating to a society that has not developed a written language

Derived forms of preliterate

preliteracy (priːˈlɪtərəsɪ), noun