Of or designating a society or economy based on rural or cottage industries producing goods for external markets, considered as a precursor of industrialization.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Far Eastern Quarterly.
Definition of proto-industrial in US English:
proto-industrial
adjective
Of or designating a society or economy based on rural or cottage industries producing goods for external markets, considered as a precursor of industrialization.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Far Eastern Quarterly.