Prejudice refers to an unfair and unreasonable judgment or opinion about someone or something, often formed without sufficient knowledge, thought, or reason. It typically involves preconceived notions or biases that are held against particular groups or individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
The word "prejudice" comes from the Latin word "praejudicium," which means "judgment in advance." It is formed from "prae-" meaning "before" and "judicium," meaning "judgment." The term has evolved through Middle English before settling into its modern form.