Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
pre·his·to·ry
\\ˌprē-ˈhis-t(ə-)rē\\ noun DATE 1871
1. the study of prehistoric humankind2. a history of the antecedents of an event, situation, or thing3. the prehistoric period of human evolution Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
prehistory
pre·his·tory / 7pri:5histri / noun1. [U] the period of time in history before information was written down
史前时期；远古时期
2. [sing.] the earliest stages of the development of sth
(事物发展的)初期,开始阶段,萌芽时期:
the prehistory of capitalism
资本主义发展的初期
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
pre·history
I. \(ˈ)prē+\ noun
Etymology: pre- + history
1. : the study of prehistoric man
< many different sciences, notably geology, paleontology, archaeology, comparative anatomy, and even psychology, have combined to give us that body of knowledge which we call prehistory — R.W.Murray >
2. : a history of the antecedents of an event or situation
< the prehistory of existing racial tensions must be considered >
II. noun
: the prehistoric period of man's evolution