prepend

¹ American  

[pree-pend] / priˈpɛnd /

verb (used with object)

prepended, prepending

1. Archaic. to consider or intend beforehand.

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prepend ² American  

[pree-pend] / priˈpɛnd /

verb (used with object)

prepended, prepending

1. to add or append (a character, string, prefix, etc.) at the beginning of something else.

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Explanation

To prepend is to contemplate or consider — in other words, to plan ahead. If you prepend the possibility of rain later in the day, you'll bring your umbrella with you! The original meaning of prepend, to premeditate, is rarely used today. The word derives from the Latin pre-, "before," and pendere, "to hang or weigh." A more common, informal definition of prepend comes from computing: "add at the beginning of something." Someone might tell you to prepend the area code before dialing a long-distance phone number or remind you that you don't have to prepend http:www before entering a web page in your browser.

Example Sentences

"If you prepend a semicolon to the line, the translation routine will pass it through unaltered." :prestidigitization: /pres`t*-di`j*-ti:-zay'sh*n/ n.

From The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 by Raymond, Eric S.

"If you prepend a semicolon to the line, the translation routine will pass it through unaltered."

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

"If you prepend a semicolon to the line, the translation routine will pass it through unaltered." :prestidigitization: /pres`t*-di`j*-ti:-zay'sh*n/ /n./

From The Jargon File, Version 4.0.0, 24 Jul 1996 by Raymond, Eric S.