preterminal

adjective

pre·​ter·​mi·​nal (ˌ)prē-ˈtərm-nəl How to pronounce preterminal (audio)
-ˈtər-mə-
: occurring or being in the period prior to death
preterminal cancer
a preterminal patient

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preterminal was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near preterminal

Cite this Entry

“Preterminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preterminal. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

preterminal

adjective
pre·​ter·​mi·​nal -ˈtərm-nəl, -ən-ᵊl How to pronounce preterminal (audio)
1
: occurring or being in the period prior to death
preterminal cancer
a preterminal patient
2
: situated or occurring anterior to an end (as of a nerve)
preterminal axons
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!