preliterate

preliterate
   uncivilized
   Anthropological and social science jargon to describe primitive societies which remain illiterate, denoting concern on behalf of those who cannot read what they would be concerned about.

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • preliterate — [prē΄lit′ər it] adj. [ PRE + LITERATE] of or belonging to a society not having a writing system for its language …   English World dictionary

  • preliterate — adjective Date: 1925 1. a. not yet employing writing as a cultural medium b. lacking the use of writing 2. antedating the use of writing • preliterate noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • preliterate — /pree lit euhr it/, adj. Anthropol. 1. lacking a written language; nonliterate: a preliterate culture. 2. occurring before the development or use of writing. [1920 25; PRE + LITERATE] * * * …   Universalium

  • preliterate — pre|lit|e|rate [pri:ˈlıtərıt] adj a society that is preliterate has not developed a written language →↑illiterate …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • preliterate — pre|lit|er|ate [ ,pri lıtərət ] adjective a preliterate society does not have a written language …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • preliterate — adjective technical a society that is preliterate has not developed a written language compare illiterate …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • preliterate — UK [ˌpriːˈlɪt(ə)rət] / US [ˌprɪˈlɪtərət] adjective a preliterate society does not have a written language …   English dictionary

  • preliterate — pre•lit•er•ate [[t]priˈlɪt ər ɪt[/t]] adj. 1) ant lacking a written language; nonliterate: a preliterate culture[/ex] 2) ant occurring before the development or use of writing • Etymology: 1920–25 …   From formal English to slang

  • preliterate — /ˌpriˈlɪtərət/ (say .pree lituhruht) adjective not leaving or having written records: a preliterate culture …  

  • preliterate — 1. adjective a) that has not yet developed a written language b) who has not yet learned to read and write 2. noun a member of such a culture …   Wiktionary

  • preliterate — prɪː lɪtÉ™rÉ™t / trÉ™t adj. preceding the advent of writing, predating the use of writing; (about a culture) not using writing systems …   English contemporary dictionary

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