prenasal
/priːˈneɪzl/noun
1Chiefly Palaeontology. Especially in a fish: a bone or bony plate located anterior to the nasal bone in the snout.
2 Zoology. In a reptile: a scale on the head immediately in front of the nostril.
3 Linguistics. A prenasalized consonant.
adjective
1 Zoology and Anatomy. Located in front of the nose, the nostrils, or the nasal region.
2 Linguistics. Occurring before a nasal consonant; characterized by prenasalization.
Origin
Mid 19th century. From pre- + nasal. Compare postnasal, postnasal.