— prejudicedly , adv. — prejudiceless , adj.
/prej"euh dis/ , n. , v. , prejudiced, prejudicing .
n.
1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.
3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, esp. of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.
4. such attitudes considered collectively: The war against prejudice is never-ending.
5. damage or injury; detriment: a law that operated to the prejudice of the majority.
6. without prejudice , Law. without dismissing, damaging, or otherwise affecting a legal interest or demand.
v.t.
7. to affect with a prejudice, either favorable or unfavorable: His honesty and sincerity prejudiced us in his favor.
[ 1250-1300; ME praejudicium prejudgment, orig. preliminary or previous judicial inquiry, equiv. to prae- PRE- + judicium legal proceedings, judging ( judic-, s. of judex JUDGE + -ium -IUM) ]
Syn. 2. preconception, partiality, predilection, predisposition. See bias. 7. bias, influence.