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| n. 1. a. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions: “This is not actually a volume of the best short stories … These are just the stories that I like best, and I am full of prejudice and strong opinions” (Ann Patchett). b. An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts: a boy with a prejudice against unfamiliar foods. 2. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular social group, such as a race or the adherents of a religion. 3. a. Detriment or harm caused to a person, especially in a legal case: The delay operated to her prejudice. b. Preclusionary effect, preventing further pursuit of one's interests: The case was dismissed with prejudice. tr.v. prej·u·diced, prej·u·dic·ing, prej·u·dic·es 1. To fill with prejudice or cause to judge with prejudice: My rural upbringing has prejudiced me against living in the city. See Synonyms at bias. 2. To affect detrimentally or harmfully by a judgment or act: Negative media coverage prejudiced people's opinion of the mayor. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praeiūdicium : prae-, pre- + iūdicium, judgment (from iūdex, iūdic-, judge; see deik- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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