prejudice

Noun · Verb

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situationSynonyms: biaspreconception

Verb (2)

  1. disadvantage by prejudice
  2. influence (somebody's) opinion in advanceSynonyms: prepossess
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Prejudice \Prej"u*dice\, n. [F. pr['e]judice, L. praejudicium; prae before + judicium judgment. See Prejudicate, Judicial.]

1.Foresight. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Naught might hinder his quick prejudize.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

2.An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge. [1913 Webster]

Though often misled by prejudice and passion, he was emphatically an honest man.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

3.(Law) A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment. [1913 Webster]

4.Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

England and France might, through their amity, Breed him some prejudice.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Prejudgment; prepossession; bias; harm; hurt; damage; detriment; mischief; disadvantage. [1913 Webster]


Prejudice \Prej"u*dice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudiced; p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicing.] [Cf. F. pr['e]judicier. See Prejudice, n.]

1.To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman. [1913 Webster]

Suffer not any beloved study to prejudice your mind so far as to despise all other learning.— I. Watts[1913 Webster]

2.To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause. [1913 Webster]

Seek how may prejudice the foe.— Shak[1913 Webster]

The Devil's Dictionary

PREJUDICE, n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.
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