WorldAugust 11, 2026

pretrial

PREE-try-uhl

Definition

Occurring, done, or existing before a formal trial in a court of law.

Etymology

The word is formed by combining the Latin prefix 'prae-', meaning 'before,' with the Middle English 'trial,' referring to the act of testing or judicial examination.

In the news

The article uses 'pretrial' to describe the legal proceedings and hearings taking place before the main jury trial for the Trader Joe's shooting begins. It is crucial because these motions and hearings set the legal groundwork and address issues that must be resolved before the full trial commences.

Retrial over deadly Trader Joe's shooting in Los Angeles kicks off

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Courthouse News

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