pre-coordinate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   existing or formulated before a coordinate system has been introduced

   Russell calls the topological framework pre-coordinate geometry because its relations are defined before numerical coordinates.

2. 2
   adj

   describing an indexing system in which terms are combined into subject headings before a search is made

   A pre-coordinate index fixes the order of subject terms when the catalogue entry is created.

Formed from pre- ("before") + coordinate. Russell used pre-co-ordinate geometry for relations established before coordinates are assigned; information science independently uses pre-coordinate for terms combined before retrieval. The source's co-ordinate spelling reflects older British usage.

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