prelingual

/priːˈlɪŋɡwəl/

Definitions

1. adjective

relating to or characteristic of a person who has lost the ability to speak, especially a person who became deaf before learning to speak.

“The prelingual patient was able to communicate through sign language.”

2. noun

a person who has lost the ability to speak, especially a person who became deaf before learning to speak.

“The prelingual children attended a special school for the deaf.”

Synonyms

  • prelingually deaf
  • prelinguistic

Antonyms

  • lingual
  • postlingually deaf