prelapsarian

[ pree-lap-sair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. Theology. occurring before the Fall:

   the prelapsarian innocence of Eden.

2. characteristic of or pertaining to any innocent or carefree period:

   a prelapsarian youth.

3. supralapsarian.

noun

1. supralapsarian.

prelapsarian

/ ˌpriːlæpˈsɛərɪən /

adjective

1. characteristic of or relating to the human state or time before the Fall

   prelapsarian innocence

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelapsarian¹

First recorded in 1870–75; pre- + -lapsarian, as in infralapsarian, supralapsarian ( def )

Example Sentences

Simply put, she defined an era: those early, prelapsarian aughties.

From The Daily Beast

It felt like some prelapsarian time before Hurricane Katrina and 20-percent approval ratings.

From The Daily Beast