adj.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )pr ē - ' ä-p( ə -)r ə -tiv, -p ə - ˌ r ā -
Function: adjective
Date: 1904
1 : occurring before a surgical operation < preoperative care>
2 : having not yet undergone a surgical operation
– pre · op · er · a · tive · ly adverb