noun an event or situation that exists or occurs before another
verb to exist or occur before in time; to precede
The ancient civilization predated written records.
The rock formation predates the volcanic eruption.
The genetic mutation predates the species divergence.
The fossil predated the known timeline of human existence.
The dinosaur bones predate the ice age.
In the context of a writer, 'predate' may be used to describe a situation where one literary work was created before another, influencing its content or themes.
Psychologists may use 'predate' when discussing the development of certain behaviors or mental health issues that existed before a specific event or trauma.
Historians may use 'predate' when referring to events or civilizations that occurred before a particular date or era.
Biologists may use 'predate' to describe the evolutionary timeline of species and how certain organisms existed before others.