The word "previous" is spelled as /ˈpriːviəs/. The first sound, /p/, is a voiceless bilabial plosive. The second sound, /r/, is a voiced alveolar approximant. The third sound, /iː/, is a long vowel sound made by raising the front of the tongue towards the roof of the mouth. The fourth sound, /v/, is a voiced labiodental fricative. The fifth sound, /i/, is a short vowel sound made with the front of the tongue raised towards the roof of the mouth. The last sound, /əs/, is an unstressed schwa sound. Together, these sounds make up the word "previous".
Previous is an adjective that is used to describe something or someone that existed or occurred before the current event or time frame. It refers to the period of time or an object that came before the present one. It implies a sense of precedence or a state that is no longer current or active.
In a temporal sense, previous refers to the time or occurrence immediately preceding the current one. It signifies a chronological order, indicating that it happened or existed earlier. It denotes an event, action, or state that happened before the present time or the one being referred to.
In a relational or comparative context, previous refers to something that has been succeeded by a more recent event or object. It establishes a connection to what came after it and highlights the contrast or difference between the current and the earlier state.
Furthermore, previous can also describe someone who held a particular position or status before the present holder. It can signify that an individual had a role or responsibility in a certain capacity before their current one.
Overall, the word previous carries the essence of something that happened or existed before the present moment, emphasizing the idea of pastness or a state that no longer holds its original status or relevance.
Going before in time; before something; foregoing; preceding.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "previous" has its roots in the Latin word "praevius", which is derived from the combination of two words: "prae" meaning "before" and "via" meaning "way" or "path". Over time, the Latin word evolved into "previous" in English, retaining the same meaning, to refer to something that comes before or precedes something else.