previous

previous, foregoing, preceding, prior, former

形容词 previous:

1. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
   同义词：former, late
2. too soon or too hasty
   同义词：premature
3. just preceding something else in time or order
   同义词：old

1. Have you had previous career experience?
   你过去有过工作经验吗？
2. Previous to the conference we had discussed the matter among ourselves.
   在会议之前，我们讨论了这个问题。

pre.vi.ous

adj.Abbr. prev.（形容词）缩写 prev.
Existing or occurring before something else in time or order; prior:
先前的，先的，前的：在时间或顺序上存在或发生在其它别的事之前的；先前的：
例句：
children by a previous marriage.
前一个婚姻里的孩子

Informal Acting, occurring, or done too soon; premature.
【非正式用语】 过早的，过急的：太快地做，发生或完成的；不成熟的

来源：
From Latin praevius [going before]
源自 拉丁语 praevius [在…之前的]
prae- [pre-]
prae- [前缀，表.在…之前.]
via [way] * see wegh-
via [方式，方法] *参见 wegh-

【引伸】
pre.viously
adv.（副词）
pre.viousness
n.（名词）