Etymology From Middle English prejudice, from Old French prejudice, derived from Latin praeiūdicium (“previous judgment or damage”), from prae- (“before”) + iūdicium (“judgment”).
1
An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.
Many of the inhabitants of our Eastern States refuse to eat Squirrels of any kind, from some prejudice or other; but we can assure our readers that the flesh of this species, and many others, is both tender and well-flavoured, and when nicely broiled, does not require a hunter’s appetite to recommend it.1846, John James Audubon, John Bachman, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America:
Though often misled by prejudice and passion, he was emphatically an honest man.1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter VII, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
2
A preconception, any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.
Morality is but a prejudice.
3
An irrational hostile attitude, fear or hatred towards a particular group, race or religion.
I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.
"I did not thoroughly understand what you were telling your brother," cried Emma, "about your friend Mr. Graham's intending to have a bailiff from Scotland, to look after his new estate. But will it answer? Will not the old prejudice be too strong?"1816, Jane Austen, Emma:
4
Obsolete Knowledge formed in advance; foresight, presaging.
[…] the first did in the forepart sit, / That nought mote hinder his quicke preiudize: / He had a sharpe foresight, and working wit […]1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
England and France might, through their amity, / Breed him some prejudice.1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
For Pens, so usefull for Scholars to note the remarkables they read, with an impression easily deleble without prejudice to the Book.a. 1662 (date written), Thomas Fuller, The History of the Worthies of England, London: […] J[ohn] G[rismond,] W[illiam] L[eybourne] and W[illiam] G[odbid], published 1662, →OCLC:
2 more examples
for no injury is thereby done to any one, no prejudice to another man's goods1702, John Locke, translated by W. Popple, A Letter concerning Toleration […] :
We both of us happen’d to know, as well as the Stationer, that Riddlesden the Attorney, was a very Knave. He had half ruin’d Miss Read’s Father by drawing him in to be bound for him. By his Letter it appear’d, there was a secret Scheme on foot to the Prejudice of Hamilton, (Suppos’d to be then coming over with us,) and that Keith was concern’d in it with Riddlesden. [...]1793, Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, §20:
Etymology From Middle English prejudice, from Old French prejudice, derived from Latin praeiūdicium (“previous judgment or damage”), from prae- (“before”) + iūdicium (“judgment”).
1
To have a negative impact on (someone's position, chances etc.).
Etymology From Middle English prejudice, from Old French prejudice, derived from Latin praeiūdicium (“previous judgment or damage”), from prae- (“before”) + iūdicium (“judgment”).
1
Pronunciation spelling Pronunciation spelling of prejudiced, representing African-American Vernacular English.
I’m not what you call an “A” student but I don’t mind school at lease it takes me away from home but the teachers are too prejudice they are mostly Whites and I never got a fair mark out of them.1965, Bel Kaufman, Up the Down Staircase: