* "Praejudicium" is the Latin word from which "prejudice" derives. It is composed of two parts:
* "Prae" meaning "before" or "in advance"
* "Judicium" meaning "judgment"
* "Praejudicium" originally referred to a legal judgment made before a case was heard, which was considered unfair and biased.
Over time, the word evolved to encompass the broader concept of prejudging someone or something based on preconceived opinions or biases. This can be applied to people, groups, ideas, or situations.
So, the etymology of the word "prejudice" reflects its core meaning - a premature judgment formed without sufficient evidence or reasoning.