pret·er·ite or pret·er·it 
(prĕtər-ĭt)
(prĕtər-ĭt)adj.
Of, relating to, or being the verb tense that describes a past action or state.
n.
1. The verb form expressing or describing a past action or condition.
2. A verb in the preterite form.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin (tempus) praeteritum, past (tense), neuter past participle of praeterīre, to go by : praeter, beyond, comparative of prae, before; see per1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + īre, to go; see ei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]