preta
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of preta
First recorded in 1810–15; from Sanskrit: literally, “gone forth, gone before, dead,” equivalent to prefix pra- “forth” + participle ita- “gone”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The fact that scientists are finding intact biochar in the Amazon’s ancient terra preta suggests that it’s happening.
From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2025
Terra preta is usually found near archaeological sites and contains charcoal, organic matter from food remains—such as fish and animal bones—and ancient artifacts such as pottery shards, hinting that ancient civilizations contributed to its formation.
From Science Magazine ● Sep. 19, 2023
Researchers compared terra preta collected from mounds bordering the ancient and historic villages’ plazas and roads with soil collected at the periphery of these sites.
From Science Magazine ● Sep. 19, 2023
Our research shows that these toilet systems and variations on the basic terra preta processes could work even in densely populated cities — a revolution indeed.
From Nature ● Jun. 13, 2012
Terra preta showed up at the papaya plantation between 620 and 720 a.d.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
