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Glite Dictionary
🗓️ Before an event ⏸️ Ready but inactive
preactive

preactive

7.4
Not yet active but ready to start
  • adjective
  • /priˈæktɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : preactivo
  • The software enters a preactive mode while waiting for user input.

Examples

  • Certain chemicals are stored in a preactive state to ensure safety before use.

  • The security system remained preactive until the building was occupied.

  • The device is in a preactive state.

  • Ensure the system is preactive before testing.

  • The security system remained preactive until the building was occupied.

  • Certain chemicals are stored in a preactive state to ensure safety before use.

  • The software enters a preactive mode while waiting for user input.

Synonyms

prevenient
vspreactive
  • Formal
1 9.9

Happening before something else

is about being ready to be activated rather than simply preceding events
prest
vspreactive
  • Archaic
9.9

Ready and willing to act immediately

is ready yet remains inactive until it receives activation

How Ready

active
664 1.0
primed
1 4.6
preactive
  • Specialized
7.4
standby
3.7
dormant
34 5.2
idle
57 2.8

Surface Forms

preactive positive

Morphology

preactive = active (transparent) = pre + act + ive

Adding 'pre-' to 'active' clearly gives the technical sense 'before becoming active' or 'prior to the active state'.

Etymology

Preactive comes from the parts pre- 'before' and active 'doing', like in preview. So something preactive is not yet working but is in a 'ready' state just before it becomes active.