Adjective: preliterate ,pree'li-tu-rut
- Used of a society that has not developed writing
"The preliterate culture preserved its history through oral traditions";
- nonliterate
- Not yet having acquired the ability to read and write
"The preliterate child was eager to start school and learn to read"
See also: illiterate, noncivilised [Brit], noncivilized
Encyclopedia: Preliterate