ante litteram

== English == === Etymology === From Latin ante (“before”) + litteram, accusative singular of littera (“letter, writing”). === Prepositional phrase === ante litteram Before the term existed; before the term was coined. ==== Usage notes ==== Usually used postpositively, after a term applied anachronistically. ==== Synonyms ==== avant la lettre == Italian == === Etymology === Unadapted borrowing from Latin ante litteram. === Adverb === ante litteram ante litteram Synonym: avantilettera ==== Usage notes ==== Used postpositively, after a term applied anachronistically.