praeter

Praeter is a Latin preposition used to denote “beyond,” “past,” “outside,” or “besides,” depending on context. It governs the accusative and is used to indicate location in space, time beyond a point, or a figurative extension. It can also express exclusion or an exception, often translated as “except” or “outside of” in English.

Common senses include spatial: praeter urbem beyond the city; temporal: praeter annum beyond the year; additive or concessive: praeter hoc besides this; and legal or formal usage: praeter legem contrary to the law.

Historical usage: attested in classical authors such as Plautus and Cicero, it remained productive in Late Antiquity and medieval Latin, especially in legal and ecclesiastical texts. It is distinct from ultra, which likewise means “beyond” but with somewhat different nuance.