Prereading

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Relating to the preparatory work or exercises completed before someone begins reading a particular text
2. Describing tasks or introductory material given to a learner ahead of reading a book or passage
3. Referring to the groundwork, such as vocabulary or background tips, that readers encounter before starting a text

Etymology: "Prereading" is the present participle and gerund of "preread," which is formed from the prefix "pre-" attached to "read." The prefix means "before," so to preread something is to read it ahead of time, before it is handed to others or before a formal reading takes place. The "-ing" ending turns the verb into a participle or gerund, so "prereading" can name either the act itself ("prereading helps catch errors") or the ongoing process of reading in advance. Because the base verb is a plain combination of two common English elements, the word needs no borrowing from another language to explain it.