[1640–50; pre- + compose]This word is first recorded in the period 1640–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: elevator, generator, handicap, intrigue, selectionpre- is a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before”(preclude; prevent); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,”“beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings (preschool; prewar; prepay: preoral; prefrontal)