prejudice

Where does the word "prejudice" come from? It comes from Latin prae iudicium, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Prejudice’s story begins in Latin: prae iudicium meant “a preliminary judgment.” A preliminary judgment, from prae- (before) and iudicium (judgment). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as prejudice. Carried into French for a judgment formed before the facts are known. It reached English by 1300s as prejudice. Settled as the English word for a preconceived opinion not based on reason. Today, prejudice means a preconceived opinion about someone or something, not based on reason or actual experience.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient prae iudicium "a preliminary judgment", a preliminary judgment, from prae- (before) and iudicium (judgment).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval prejudice "a judgment formed before the facts are known", carried into French for a judgment formed before the facts are known.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s prejudice "a preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience", settled as the English word for a preconceived opinion not based on reason.