Definition of prejudice

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< prejudge

prejudicial >

prej·u·dice    (prj-ds) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
   2. A preconceived preference or idea.
2. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. See Synonyms at predilection.
3. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.
4. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
prej·u·diced, prej·u·dic·ing, prej·u·dic·es

1. To cause (someone) to judge prematurely and irrationally. See Synonyms at bias.
2. To affect injuriously or detrimentally by a judgment or an act.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praeidicium : prae-, pre- + idicium, judgment (from idex, idic-, judge; see deik- in Indo-European roots)