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Glite Dictionary
pre-Columbian

pre-Columbian

5 7.6
About the people, cultures, and objects in the Americas before 1492
  • adjective
  • /priː kəˈlʌmbiən/
: precolombino
  • Many historians study pre-Columbian civilizations to understand the rich history of the Americas before 1492.

So Kippu were the main record keeping device in pre Columbian Andes.

Examples

  • Now the amazing thing is if you go to Mexico, you can go to museums that have children's toys from pre Columbian Mexico with wheels.

  • And this is erasure of, you know, pre Columbian history in America is, you know, a crime intellectually and, and socially.

  • The museum features stunning artifacts from pre-Columbian cultures, showcasing their advanced craftsmanship.

  • Art pieces made by pre-Columbian societies provide insight into their beliefs and way of life.

Synonyms

precolonial
vspre-Columbian
1 5.6

From the time before foreign countries took control of a region

is specific to the Americas before Columbus rather than simply before colonization
precontact
vspre-Columbian
  • Specialized
1 8.6

The time before one group met another group

is about the Americas before Columbus in 1492 rather than any first meeting

Surface Forms

pre-Columbian positive

Morphology

pre-Columbian = Columbian (semi-transparent) = pre + Columb + ian

The prefix 'pre-' straightforwardly adds the meaning 'before' to the adjective 'Columbian'.

Etymology

Pre-Columbian comes from the prefix pre- meaning 'before' and the name Columbus, the explorer who reached the Americas in 1492. So pre-Columbian describes people, buildings, art, or history in the Americas that existed 'before' his arrival.