antebellum

From the Latin phrase ante bellum (literally “before the war”), from ante (“before”) + bellum (“war”).

antebellum (not comparable)

1. Of the time period prior to a war.

   A renewed sense of national pride arose in Hitler's antebellum Germany.

2. In the United States of America, of the period prior to the American Civil War, especially in reference to the culture of the southern states.

   Slavery was an accepted part of antebellum plantation life.

• (of a time prior to war): postbellum

• unmeltable

• pre-war