Definition

Relating to the time before the biblical fall of Adam and Eve, often used to describe an idealized state of innocence or purity.

Example

Many people long for a prelapsarian world where innocence and harmony prevailed before human sin.

Conversation

Have you ever read anything about prelapsarian times?

Not really, what does that mean?

It's about the period before the fall of Adam and Eve, kind of an ideal state.

That sounds interesting, I'd love to learn more about that!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prelapsarian → It is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "lapsus" (from Latin, meaning fall or slip). The term refers to the state of humanity before the fall from grace, specifically before Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden.

Memory Tip

Think of 'pre-' meaning before and 'lapsus' meaning fall — this helps you remember that prelapsarian refers to the time before the fall from grace.

Visually Confused Words