How Do You Spell PRECANCELLED?

1. Precancelled is an adjective that describes an item, particularly a postage stamp or a postal stationery item, which has been marked or printed with an official cancellation mark before being sold or used. It refers to the process of canceling a stamp or postal item in advance, typically by a post office, to indicate that it has already been used for mailing purposes.

   The practice of precancelling stamps was initially introduced to streamline postal operations and expedite the mailing process. By applying the cancellation mark prior to sale, the post office saves time and resources by avoiding the need for individual cancellation on each item at the point of mailing. Typically, precancelled stamps are affixed in large quantities to bulk mailings, such as business reply envelopes or advertising mail, where the stamps have a predetermined value and are not specific to a particular destination.

   Precancelled stamps usually bear a special design or print, such as bars, lines, or the word "Precancelled" itself, which differentiates them from regular stamps. This marking helps postal workers differentiate precancelled items from regular, uncanceled postage and ensures they are not reused or returned for refund. In many cases, precancelled postage needs to be affixed in specific configurations or patterns as prescribed by the postal authority.

   Overall, a precancelled item represents a pre-approved and pre-canceled mail piece, typically a stamp, that allows for expeditious processing and significantly reduces the handling required by postal authorities.

The term "precancelled" is formed by combining two words: "pre-" and "cancelled".

1. "Pre-" is a prefix that comes from the Latin word "prae", meaning "before". It is commonly used to indicate something that occurs beforehand, earlier, or in advance.

2. "Cancelled" is derived from the Latin word "cancellatus", which means "made into a lattice or grid". In the context of mailing, cancellation refers to the marking or stamping of a postage stamp to invalidate it and prevent reuse.

When these two words are combined, "precancelled" refers to an item, particularly a postage stamp, that has been marked or invalidated before its use or potentially before it was even issued. This term signifies that the stamp has already been canceled or voided, often for specific purposes like bulk mailings or certain postal services.

Conjugate verb Precancelled