Home British & World English preterimperfect

Definition of preterimperfect in English:

preterimperfect

noun

Grammar
rare

  • The past imperfect tense.

Origin

Early 16th century (in an earlier sense). From preter + imperfect, after post-classical Latin praeteritum imperfectum, lit. ‘uncompleted past’ (3rd cent.) Compare preterperfect, preterperfect, preterpluperfect, preterpluperfect.

Pronunciation

preterimperfect

/ˌpriːtə̩rɪmˈpəːfɪkt/