the preterite
noun /ðə ˈpretərət/
/ðə ˈpretərət/
(North American English also preterit)
[singular] (grammar)- a form of a verb that expresses the pastWord OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘bygone, former’): from Latin praeteritus ‘gone by’, past participle of praeterire, from praeter ‘past, beyond’ + ire ‘go’.