Precancel: meaning, definitions and examples
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precancel
[ priːˈkænsl ]
business context
To precancel something means to cancel an event, transaction, or process before its officially scheduled time. This action often occurs in business settings where an event must be called off ahead of time due to unforeseen circumstances.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- We had to precancel the meeting due to a conflict in schedules.
- The company decided to precancel the conference because of safety concerns.
- She requested to precancel her subscription before the renewal date.
Etymology
The term 'precancel' is a combination of the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and the verb 'cancel'. The prefix 'pre-' has Latin origins, derived from 'prae', which means 'before'. The word 'cancel' itself comes from the Latin 'cancellare', meaning 'to cross out' or 'to annul'. It first came into use in English in the late 19th century, primarily in legal and administrative contexts. Over time, the term evolved and found its application in everyday language, particularly in business and scheduling contexts, where it has become common to refer to the action of canceling events or agreements prior to their designated time.