prejudice: Meaning and Definition of

prej•u•dice

Pronunciation: (prej'u-dis), [key]
— n., v., -diced, -dic•ing.
—n.
  1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
  2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.
  3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, esp. of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.
  4. such attitudes considered collectively: The war against prejudice is never-ending.
  5. damage or injury; detriment: a law that operated to the prejudice of the majority.
  6. without dismissing, damaging, or otherwise affecting a legal interest or demand.
—v.t.
  1. to affect with a prejudice, either favorable or unfavorable: His honesty and sincerity prejudiced us in his favor.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: