preliteracyn.
/ˌpriːˈlɪt(ə)rəsi/, U.S. /priˈlɪdərəsi/, /priˈlɪtrəsi/ The state or quality of being preliterate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > want of learning, illiteracy > [noun] > stage in culture
preliteracy1943
1943 Amer. Anthropologist 45 134 A large number of gradations in culture and social life are noted..from complete illiteracy (or preliteracy) to 73 per cent literacy.
1967 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 23 Feb. 33/1 Preliteracy points to literacy as the next step in human evolution.
1992 Jrnl. Relig. 72 630 It makes a direct leap from preliteracy to an alphabet, a leap highly unusual in the history of writing.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1943