a course of mathematics in certain American schools, intended to prepare students for the study of calculus
precalculus in American English
(priˈkælkjələs)
Math
adjective
1.
pertaining to the mathematical prerequisites for the study of calculus, as algebra, analytical geometry, and trigonometry
noun
2.
the course of study leading to calculus
Word origin
[1960–65; pre- + calculus]This word is first recorded in the period 1960–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buyback, deinstitutionalize, disco, parvovirus, pop artpre- is a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before”(preclude; prevent); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,”“beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings (preschool; prewar; prepay: preoral; prefrontal)