prepunctualadj.
/priːˈpʌŋ(k)tʃʊəl/, /priːˈpʌŋ(k)tʃ(ᵿ)l/, /priːˈpʌŋ(k)tjʊəl/, /priːˈpʌŋ(k)tjᵿl/, U.S. /ˌpriˈpəŋ(k)(t)ʃ(əw)əl/ rare.
More than punctual; arriving or waiting earlier than the appointed time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > punctuality > [adjective]
seelyc1200
critical1617
punctual1632
prepunctual1890
on time1891
punctiliar1906
1890 Cent. Dict. Prepunctual, 1. More than punctual; excessively prompt in action or movement. 2. Acting or occurring before a specified point of time.
1990 Independent (Nexis) 27 Oct. 12 He remained his old self; always prepunctual (tapping his watch mischievously when you came in).
2000 Telegram & Gaz. (Mass.) (Nexis) 24 Apr. a1 The pre-punctual spouses and others who arrived early to get prized waiting spots.
Derivatives
preˈpunctually adv. more than punctually.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > punctuality > [adverb]
punctually1652
critically1655
sharp1840
on time1854
prompt1869
on the dot1875
dot1894
prepunctually1894
on or to the tick1902
1894 Story of My Two Wives 110 We were at the agent's prepunctually.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1890