previous generation; former ages
Refers to people or eras that came before the current one, often in historical or comparative contexts.
We apply the technology of previous generations to the present day.
An unprecedented incident occurred.
unprecedented; unheard-of; record-breaking
pre-Taika period
Compound of 前 (before, previous) and 代 (generation, era). The exact historical derivation is straightforward; the word has been used in Japanese to refer to past generations or ages.