præjudice

Noun

prejudice (countable and uncountable, plural prejudices)

1. (countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.
   • Many of the inhabitants of our Eastern States refuse to eat Squirrels of any kind, from some prejudice or other; but we can assure our readers that the flesh of this species, and many others, is both tender and well-flavoured, and when nicely broiled, does not require a hunter’s appetite to...1846, John James Audubon, John Bachman, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America
2. (countable) A preconception, any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.
   • Morality is but a prejudice.
3. (countable) An irrational hostile attitude, fear or hatred towards a particular group, race or religion.
   • I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.
4. (obsolete) Knowledge formed in advance; foresight, presaging.
   • […] the first did in the forepart sit, / That nought mote hinder his quicke preiudize: / He had a sharpe foresight, and working wit […]1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC
5. (obsolete) Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.
   • England and France might, through their amity, / Breed him some prejudice.1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio)...

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