Chapter 1198

Pre`\'89m*ploy (?) , v. t. To employ beforehand. " Pre\'89mployed by him."

Shak.

Pre\'89mpt <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89mpt" (?; 215) , v. t. & i. [ imp. & p. p. Pre\'89mpted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pre\'89mpting .] [See Pre\'89mption .] To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by pre\'89mption.

Pre\'89mption <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89mp"tion (?; 215) , n. [Pref. pre- + emption : cf. F. pr\'82emption . See Redeem .] The act or right of purchasing before others. Specifically: (a) The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others. [Eng.] (b) The right of an actual settler upon public lands (particularly those of the United States) to purchase a certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all other applicants. Abbott.

Pre\'89mptioner <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89mp"tion*er (?) , n. One who holds a prior to purchase certain public land.

Abbott.

Pre\'89mptive <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89mp"tive (?) , a. Of or pertaining to pre\'89mption; having power to pre\'89mpt; pre\'89mpting.

Pre\'89mtor <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89mt"or (?; 215) , n. [Cf. L. praeemptor .] One who pre\'89mpts; esp., one who pre\'89mpts public land.

Pre\'89mptory <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89mpt"o*ry (?) , a. Pertaining to pre\'89mption.

Preen <Xpage=1128>

Preen (?) , n. [AS. pre\'a2n a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem , Icel. prj&omac;nn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.] A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.

Preen <Xpage=1128>

Preen , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preened (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Preening .] [See Preen , n. ; or cf. Prune .] 1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds.

Derham.

2. To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.]

Halliwell.

Pre\'89ngage <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89n*gage" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pre\'89ngaged (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pre\'89ngaging (?) .] To engage by previous contract; to bind or attach previously; to preoccupy.

But he was pre\'89ngaged by former ties. Dryden.

Pre\'89ngagement <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89n*gage"ment (?) , n. Prior engagement, obligation, or attachment, as by contract, promise, or affection.

My pre\'89ngagements to other themes were not unknown to those for whom I was to write. Boyle.

Pre\'89rect <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89*rect" (?) , v. t. To erect beforehand.

Prees <Xpage=1128>

Prees (?) , n. Press; throng. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Pre\'89stablish <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89s*tab"lish , v. t. To establish beforehand.

Pre\'89stablishment <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89s*tab"lish*ment , n. Settlement beforehand.

Pre\'89ternity <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89*ter"ni*ty (?) , n. Infinite previous duration. [R.] "The world's pre\'89ternity ."

Cudworth.

Pre\'89xamination <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*am`i*na"tion (?) , n. Previous examination.

Pre\'89xamine <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*am"ine (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pre\'89xamined (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pre\'89xamining .] To examine beforehand. <-- in orig, "perexamined" had no dieresis over the second "e" because it was broken by a hyphen at the end of a line. Thus this transcription is in such cases style of the original rather than typographically identical. Similarly, above at "preengaged" and below, at "preexist" -->

Pre\'89xist <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*ist" (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Pre\'89xisted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pre\'89xisting .] To exist previously; to exist before something else.

Pre\'89xistence <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*ist"ence (?) , n. 1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something else.

Wisdom declares her antiquity and pre\'89xistence to all the works of this earth. T. Burnet.

2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a doctrine held by certain philosophers.

Addison.

Pre\'89xistency <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*ist"en*cy (?) , n. Pre\'89xistence. [Obs.]

Pre\'89xistent <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*ist"ent (?) , a. Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a pre\'89xistent state .

Pope.

Pre\'89xistentism <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*ist"ent*ism (?) , n. (Philos.) The theory of a pre\'89xistence of souls before their association with human bodies.

Emerson.

Pre\'89xistimation <Xpage=1128>

Pre`\'89x*is`ti*ma"tion (?) , n. Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Pre\'89xpectation <Xpage=1128>

Pre*\'89x`pec*ta"tion (?) , n. Previous expectation.

Preface <Xpage=1128>

Pref"ace (?; 48) , n. [F. pr\'82face ; cf. Sp. prefacio , prefacion , It. prefazio , prefazione ; all fr. L. praefatio , fr. praefari to speak or say beforehand; prae before + fari , fatus , to speak. See Fate .] 1. Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.

This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. Shak.

Heaven's high behest no preface needs. Milton.

2. (R. C. Ch.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.

Addis & Arnold.

Proper preface (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) , a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.

Syn. -- Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.

Preface <Xpage=1128>

Pref"ace , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prefaced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefacing .] To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse .

Preface <Xpage=1128>

Pref"ace , v. i. To make a preface.

Jer. Taylor.

Prefacer <Xpage=1128>

Pref"a*cer (?) , n. The writer of a preface.

Prefatorial <Xpage=1128>

Pref`a*to"ri*al (?) , a. Prefatory.

Prefatorily <Xpage=1128>

Pref"a*to*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a prefatory manner; by way of preface.

Prefatory <Xpage=1128>

Pref"a*to*ry (?) , a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks .

That prefatory addition to the Creed. Dryden.

Prefect <Xpage=1128>

Pre"fect (?) , n. [L. praefectus , fr. praefectus , p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. pr\'82fet .] 1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect , who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation. [France]

Brande & C.

3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.

Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.) , the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank.

Shipley.

Prefectorial <Xpage=1128>

Pre`fec*to"ri*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a prefect.

Prefectship <Xpage=1128>

Pre"fect*ship (?) , n. The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.

Prefecture <Xpage=1128>

Pre"fec*ture (?; 277) , n. [L. praefectura : cf. F. pr\'82fecture .] The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.

Prefecundation <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fec`un*da"tion (?) , n. (Physiol.) A term collectively applied to the changes or conditions preceding fecundation, especially to the changes which the ovum undergoes before fecundation.

Prefecundatory <Xpage=1128>

Pre`fe*cun"da*to*ry (?) , a. Of or pertaining to prefecundation.

Prefer <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fer" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preferred (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring .] [F. pr\'82f\'82rer , L. praeferre ; prae before + ferre to bear or carry. See 1st Bear .] 1. To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.

He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl. Pope.

Presently prefer his suit to C\'91sar. Shak.

Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high. Byron.

2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass. [Obs.] "Though maidenhood prefer bigamy."

Chaucer.

3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general .

I would prefer him to a better place. Shak.

4. To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed by to , before , or above .

If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Ps. cxxxvii. 6.

Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war. Knolles.

Preferred stock , stock which takes a dividend before other capital stock; -- called also preference stock and preferential stock .

Syn. -- To choose; elect. See Choose .

Preferability <Xpage=1128>

Pref`er*a*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness.

J. S. Mill.

Preferable <Xpage=1128>

Pref"er*a*ble (?) , a. [Cf. F. pr\'82f\'82rable .] Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme .

Addison.

Preferableness <Xpage=1128>

Pref"er*a*ble*ness , n. The quality or state of being preferable.

Preferably <Xpage=1128>

Pref"er*a*bly , adv. In preference; by choice.

To choose Plautus preferably to Terence. Dennis.

Preference <Xpage=1128>

Pref"er*ence (?) , n. [Cf. F. pr\'82f\'82rence .] 1. The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference .

Leave the critics on either side to contend about the preference due to this or that sort of poetry. Dryden.

Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's. Locke.

2. That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference ?

Preferential <Xpage=1128>

Pref`er*en"tial (?) , a. Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.

Preferment <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fer"ment (?) , n. 1. The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen; preference. [R.]

Natural preferment of the one . . . before the other. Sir T. Browne.

2. The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion.

Neither royal blandishments nor promises of valuable preferment had been spared. Macaulay.

3. A position or office of honor or profit; as, the preferments of the church .

Preferrer <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fer"rer (?) , n. One who prefers.

Prefidence <Xpage=1128>

Pref"i*dence (?) , n. The quality or state of being prefident. [Obs.]

Baxter.

Prefident <Xpage=1128>

Pref"i*dent (?) , a. [Cf. L. praefidens overconfident. See Pre- , and Confident .] Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident. [Obs.]

Baxter.

Prefigurate <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fig"u*rate (?) , v. t. [L. praefiguratus , p. p. See Prefigure .] To prefigure. [R.]

Grafton.

Prefiguration <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fig`u*ra"tion (?) , n. [L. praefiguratio .] The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured.

A variety of prophecies and prefigurations . Norris.

Prefigurative <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fig"ur*a*tive (?) , a. Showing by prefiguration. "The prefigurative atonement."

Bp. Horne.

Prefigure <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fig"ure (?; 135) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prefigured (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefiguring .] [F. pr\'82figurer , or L. praefigurare , praefiguratum ; prae before + figurare to figure. See Figure , and cf. Prefigurate .] To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and similitudes; to foreshadow. "Whom all the various types prefigured ."

South.

Prefigurement <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fig"ure*ment (?) , n. The act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is prefigured.

Carlyle.

Prefine <Xpage=1128>

Pre*fine" (?) , v. t. [L. praefinire ; prae before + finire to limit, determine: cf. F. pr\'82finer .] To limit beforehand. [Obs.]

Knolles.

<page="1129"> Page 1129

Prefinite <Xpage=1129>

Pre*fi"nite (?) , a. [L. praefinitus , p. p.] Prearranged. [Obs.] " Set and prefinite time."

Holland.

Prefinition <Xpage=1129>

Pref`i*ni"tion (?) , n. [L. praefinitio .] Previous limitation. [Obs.]

Fotherby.

Prefix <Xpage=1129>

Pre*fix" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prefixed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefixing .] [L. praefixus , p. p. of praefigere to fix or fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. pr \'82 fix fixed beforehand, determined, pr \'82 fixer to prefix. See Fix.]

1. To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement .

2. To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently. [Obs.] " Prefixed bounds. "

Locke.

And now he hath to her prefixt a day. Spenser.

Prefix <Xpage=1129>

Pre"fix (?) , n. [Cf. F. pr \'82 fixe .] That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in pre fix, con- in con jure .

Prefixion <Xpage=1129>

Pre*fix"ion (?) , n. [Cf. OF. prefixion .] The act of prefixing. [R.]

Bailey.

Prefloration <Xpage=1129>

Pre`flo*ra"tion (?) , n. [Pref. pre- + L. flos , floris , flower.] (Bot.) \'92stivation.

Prefoliation <Xpage=1129>

Pre*fo`li*a"tion (?) , n. [Pref. pre- + L. folium leaf.] (Bot.) Vernation.

Preform <Xpage=1129>

Pre*form" (<?/) , v. t. [L. praeformare . See Pre- , and Form .] To form beforehand, or for special ends. "Their natures and preformed faculties. "

Shak.

Preformation <Xpage=1129>

Pre`for*ma"tion (?) , n. (Biol.) An old theory of the pre\'89xistence of germs. Cf. Embo&icir;tement .

Preformative <Xpage=1129>

Pre*form"a*tive (?) , n. A formative letter at the beginning of a word.

M. Stuart.

Prefrontal <Xpage=1129>

Pre*fron"tal (?) , a. (Anat. & Zo\'94l.) Situated in front of the frontal bone, or the frontal region of the skull; ectethmoid, as a certain bone in the nasal capsule of many animals, and certain scales of reptiles and fishes. -- n. A prefrontal bone or scale.

Prefulgency <Xpage=1129>

Pre*ful"gen*cy (?) , n. [L. praefulgens , p. pr. of praefulgere to shine forth. See Pre- , and Fulgent .] Superior brightness or effulgency. [R.]

Barrow.

Pregage <Xpage=1129>

Pre*gage" (<?/) , v. t. To pre\'89ngage. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Preglacial <Xpage=1129>

Pre*gla"cial (?) , a. (Geol.) Prior to the glacial or drift period.

Pregnable <Xpage=1129>

Preg"na*ble (?) , a , [F. prenable . See Impregnable .] Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort . [R.]

Cotgrave.

Pregnance <Xpage=1129>

Preg"nance (?) , n. Pregnancy. [Obs.]

Milton.

Pregnancy <Xpage=1129>

Preg"nan*cy (?) , n. 1. The condition of being pregnant; the state of being with young.

2. Figuratively: The quality of being heavy with important contents, issue, significance, etc.; unusual consequence or capacity; fertility.

Fuller.

Pregnant <Xpage=1129>

Preg"nant (?) , a. [L. praegnans , -antis ; prae before + genere , gignere , to beget: cf. F. pr\'82gnant . See Gender , 2d Kin .]

1. Being with young, as a female; having conceived; great with young; breeding; teeming; gravid; preparing to bring forth.

2. Heavy with important contents, significance, or issue; full of consequence or results; weighty; as, pregnant replies . " A pregnant argument." Prynne . " A pregnant brevity."<-- pregnant silence -->

E. Everett.

3. Full of promise; abounding in ability, resources, etc.; as, a pregnant youth . [Obs.]

Evelyn.

Wherein the pregnant enemy does much. Shak.

Pregnant construction (Rhet.) , one in which more is implied than is said; as, the beasts trembled forth from their dens, that is, came forth trembling with fright.

Pregnant <Xpage=1129>

Preg"nant , n. A pregnant woman. [R.]

Dunglison.

Pregnant <Xpage=1129>

Preg"nant , a. [F. prenant taking. Cf. Pregnable .] Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open; prompt. [Obs.] " Pregnant to good pity."

Shak.

Pregnantly <Xpage=1129>

Preg"nant*ly , adv. In a pregnant manner; fruitfully; significantly.