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Predate vs Backdate - What's the difference?

predate | backdate |

As verbs the difference between predate and backdate

is that predate is to designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate". while backdate is to give or assign a date to a document that is earlier than the current date.

As a noun predate

is a publication, such as a newspaper or magazine, that is issued with a printed date later than the date of issue.

predate

English

Etymology 1

From pre- 'before' + date

Verb

  • To designate a date earlier than the actual one; to move a date, appointment, event, or period of time to an earlier point (contrast "postdate".)
  • To exist, or to occur before something else; to antedate (the more correct term for this usage.)
    • The Japanese use of Pascal's Triangle predates its discovery by Blaise Pascal.
    Usage notes
    The transitive sense of moving an event to an earlier point is the proper one for "predate." "Antedate" is the correct term for occurring before something else. These terms are frequently misused even in educated writing.
    Synonyms
    * (to designate a date earlier): antedate
    Antonyms
    * (to designate a date earlier): postdate

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A publication, such as a newspaper or magazine, that is issued with a printed date later than the date of issue.

    • Etymology 2

    From predation, predator

    Verb

  • To prey upon something.
    • Synonyms
    * (to prey upon): prey
    Related terms
    * predation * predator

    Anagrams

    * * * * English heteronyms ----

    backdate

    English

    Alternative forms

    *back-date

    Verb

    (backdat)
  • To give or assign a date to a document that is earlier than the current date.