Which prefix refers to "to come before"?

The prefix that refers to "to come before" is "pre-." In medical terminology, "pre-" is commonly used to indicate something occurring prior to a specific point in time or in relation to a particular condition. For instance, it is used in terms like "preoperative," which means occurring before a surgical operation.

The other prefixes investigate different meanings: "epi-" generally means "upon" or "over," indicating a position or a location in relation to something else. "Bi-" signifies "two" or "twice," and is often seen in terms related to pairs. "Cardi-" pertains to the heart, being used in words like "cardiology," which refers to the study of heart conditions.

Understanding that "pre-" specifically indicates an occurrence that happens before, enhances your grasp of medical terms and improves your ability to interpret and use such prefixes accurately in various contexts.