Chapter 64

{ Prec"a*tive (?), Prec"a*to*ry (?), } a. [L. precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See Precarious.] Suppliant; beseeching. Bp. Hopkins.

Precatory words (Law), words of recommendation, request, entreaty, wish, or expectation, employed in wills, as distinguished from express directions; -- in some cases creating a trust. Jarman.

Pre*cau"tion (?), n. [F. prÈcation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution.] 1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.

They [ancient philosophers] treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution.

J. H. Newman.

2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.

Pre*cau"tion, v. t. [Cf. F. prÈcautionner.] 1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke.

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2. To take precaution against. [R.] Dryden.

Pre*cau"tion*al (?), a. Precautionary.

Pre*cau"tion*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as, precautionary signals.

Pre*cau"tious (?), a. Taking or using precaution; precautionary. -- Pre*cau"tious*ly, adv. -- Pre*cau"*tious*ness, n.

Pre`ce*da"ne*ous (?), a. Preceding; antecedent; previous. [Obs.] Hammond.

Pre*cede" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. prÈceder. See Pre-, and Cede.] 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." Milton.

2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.

3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.]

It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration.

Kent.

{ Pre*ced"ence (?), Pre*ced"en*cy (?), } n. [Cf. F. prÈcÈdence. See Precede.] 1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.

2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners.

Which of them [the different desires] has the precedency in determining the will to the next action?

Locke.

Syn. -- Antecedence; priority; preÎminence; preference; superiority.

Pre*ced"ent (?), a. [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. prÈcÈdent. See Precede.] Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. "A precedent injury." Bacon.

Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.

Prec"e*dent (?), n. 1. Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example.

Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.

Hooker.

2. A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. [Obs.]

3. A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy. [Obs.] Shak.

4. (Law) A judicial decision which serves as a rule for future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of proceeding to be followed in similar cases. Wharton.

Syn. -- Example; antecedent. -- Precedent, Example. An example in a similar case which may serve as a rule or guide, but has no authority out of itself. A precedent is something which comes down to us from the past with the sanction of usage and of common consent. We quote examples in literature, and precedents in law.

Prec"e*dent*ed, a. Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of a like kind. Walpole.

Prec`e*den"tial (?), a. Of the nature of a precedent; having force as an example for imitation; as, precedential transactions.

All their actions in that time are not precedential to warrant posterity.

Fuller.

Pre*ced"ent*ly (?), adv. Beforehand; antecedently.

Pre*ced"ing, a. 1. Going before; -- opposed to following.

2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.

Pre*cel" (?), v. t. & i. [See Precellence.] To surpass; to excel; to exceed. [Obs.] Howell.

{ Pre*cel"lence (?), Pre*cel"len*cy (?), } n. [L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.] Excellence; superiority. [Obs.] Sheldon.

Pre*cel"lent (?), a. [L. praecellens, p. pr.] Excellent; surpassing. [Obs.] Holland.

Pre*cen"tor (?), n. [L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See Chant.] A leader of a choir; a directing singer. Specifically: (a) The leader of the choir in a cathedral; -- called also the chanter or master of the choir. Hook. (b) The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and other churches.

Pre*cen"tor*ship, n. The office of a precentor.

Pre"cept (?), n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. prÈcepte. See Pre-, and Capacious.] 1. Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.

For precept must be upon precept.

Isa. xxviii. 10.

No arts are without their precepts.

Dryden.

2. (Law) A command in writing; a species of writ or process. Burrill.

Syn. -- Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction; principle; maxim. See Doctrine.

Pre"cept, v. t. To teach by precepts. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pre*cep"tial (?), a. Preceptive. [Obs.]

[Passion] would give preceptial medicine to rage.

Shak.

Pre*cep"tion (?), n. [L. praeceptio.] A precept. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Pre*cep"tive (?), a. [L. praeceptivus.] Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.

The lesson given us here is preceptive to us.

L'Estrange.

Pre*cep"tor (?), n. [L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to teach: cf. F. prÈcepteur. See Precept.] 1. One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.

2. The head of a preceptory among the Knights Templars. Sir W. Scott.

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

Pre*cep"to*ry (?; 277), a. Preceptive. "A law preceptory." Anderson (1573).

Pre*cep"to*ry, n.; pl. Preceptories (#). [LL. praeceptoria an estate assigned to a preceptor, from L. praeceptor a commander, ruler, teacher, in LL., procurator, administrator among the Knights Templars. See Preceptor.] A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See Commandery, n., 2.

Pre*cep"tress (?), n. A woman who is the principal of a school; a female teacher.

Pre*ces"sion (?), n. [L. praecedere, praecessum, to go before: cf. F. prÈcession. See Precede.] The act of going before, or forward.

Lunisolar precession. (Astron.) See under Lunisolar. -- Planetary precession, that part of the precession of the equinoxes which depends on the action of the planets alone. -- Precession of the equinoxes (Astron.), the slow backward motion of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic, at the rate of 50.2&Prime; annually, caused by the action of the sun, moon, and planets, upon the protuberant matter about the earth's equator, in connection with its diurnal rotation; -- so called because either equinox, owing to its westerly motion, comes to the meridian sooner each day than the point it would have occupied without the motion of precession, and thus precedes that point continually with reference to the time of transit and motion.

Pre*ces"sion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to pression; as, the precessional movement of the equinoxes.

Pre*ces"sor (?), n. [L. praecessor.] A predecessor. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pre"cinct (?; 277), n. [LL. praecinctum, fr. L. praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae before + cingere to gird, surround. See Pre-, and Cincture.] 1. The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority; -- often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state. "The precincts of light." Milton.

2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a school precinct.

3. A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and taxed for its support. [U.S.]

The parish, or precinct, shall proceed to a new choice.

Laws of Massachusetts.

Pre`ci*os"i*ty (?), n. Preciousness; something precious. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pre"cious (?), a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F. prÈcieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price.] 1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. "The precious bane." Milton.

2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.

She is more precious than rules.

Prov. iii. 15.

Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.

Hooker.

Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.

3. Particular; fastidious; overnice. [Obs.]

Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.

Chaucer.

Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. -- Precious stones, gems; jewels.

Pre"cious*ly, adv. In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.

Pre"cious*ness, n. The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness.

Prec"i*pe (?), n. (Law) See PrÊcipe, and Precept.

Prec"i*pice (?), n. [F. prÈcipice, L. praecipitium, fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput, capitis, the head. See Pre-, and Chief.] 1. A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] Fuller.

2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff.

Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew.

Dryden.

Pre*cip"i*ent (?), a. [L. praecipiens, p. pr. See Precept.] Commanding; directing.

Pre*cip`i*ta*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being precipitable.

Pre*cip"i*ta*ble (?), a. Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a substance in solution. See Precipitate, n. (Chem.)

{ Pre*cip"i*tance (?), Pre*cip"i*tan*cy (?), } n. [From Precipitant.] The quality or state of being precipitant, or precipitate; headlong hurry; excessive or rash haste in resolving, forming an opinion, or executing a purpose; precipitation; as, the precipitancy of youth. "Precipitance of judgment." I. Watts.

Pre*cip"i*tant (?), a. [L. praecipitans, -antis, p. pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. prÈcipitant. See Precipitate.] 1. Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently, or recklessly; moving precipitately.

They leave their little lives Above the clouds, precipitant to earth.

J. Philips.

Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold, Precipitant in fear would wing their flight.

Pope.

2. Unexpectedly or foolishly brought on or hastened; rashly hurried; hasty; sudden; reckless. Jer. Taylor. "Precipitant rebellion." Eikon Basilike.

Pre*cip"i*tant, n. (Chem.) Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate.

Pre*cip"i*tant*ly, adv. With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner. Milton.

Pre*cip"i*tant*ness, n. The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation.

Pre*cip"i*tate (?), a. [L. praecipitatus, p. p. of praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See Precipice.] 1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in declaring war. Clarendon.

2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course." Landor.

3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong.

Precipitate the furious torrent flows.

Prior.

4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

Pre*cip"i*tate (?), n. [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. prÈcipitÈ.] 1. (Chem.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface.

Red precipitate (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide (HgO) a heavy red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the latter manner, it was the precipitate per se of the alchemists. -- White precipitate (Old Chem.) (a) A heavy white amorphous powder (NH2.HgCl) obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate; -- formerly called also infusible white precipitate, and now amido-mercuric chloride. (b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also fusible white precipitate.

Pre*cip"i*tate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precipitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precipitating.] 1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or height.

She and her horse had been precipitated to the pebbled region of the river.

W. Irving.

2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as, precipitate a journey, or a conflict.

Back to his sight precipitates her steps.

Glover.

If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs, and prove dangerous.

Bacon.

3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor when in solution with alcohol.

The light vapor of the preceding evening had been precipitated by the cold.

W. Irving.

Pre*cip"i*tate, v. i. 1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.]

So many fathom down precipitating.

Shak.

2. To hasten without preparation. [R.]

3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.

Pre*cip"i*tate*ly (?), adv. In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly. Swift.

Pre*cip`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praecipitatio: cf. F. prÈcipitation.] 1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong.

In peril of precipitation From off rock Tarpeian.

Shak.

2. A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity.

The hurry, precipitation, and rapid motion of the water, returning . . . towards the sea.

Woodward.

3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. "The precipitation of inexperience." Rambler.

4. (Chem.) The act or process of precipitating from a solution.

Pre*cip"i*ta`tor (?), n. [L. praecipitator an overthrower.] One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness. Hammond.

Prec`i*pi"tious (?), a. Precipitous. [Obs.] -- Prec`i*pi"tious*ly, adv. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Pre*cip"i*tous (?), a. [L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF. precipiteux. See Precipice.] 1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.

2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall.

3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. "Marian's low, precipitous ëHush!'" Mrs. Browning.

-- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness, n.

||PrÈ`cis" (pr`s"), n. [F. See Precise.] A concise or abridged ||statement or view; an abstract; a summary.

Pre*cise" (?), a. [L. praecisus cut off, brief, concise, p. p. of praecidere to cut off in front, to cut off; prae before + caedere to cut: cf. F. prÈcis. Cf. Concise.] 1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality.

The law in this point is not precise.

Bacon.

For the hour precise Exacts our parting hence.

Milton.

2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious. Addison.

He was ever precise in promise- keeping.

Shak.

Syn. -- Accurate; exact; definite; correct; scrupulous; punctilious; particular; nice; formal. See Accurate.

-- Pre*cise"ly, adv. -- Pre*cise"ness, n.

Pre*ci"sian (?), n. 1. One who limits, or restrains. [Obs.]

2. An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly applied to the English Puritans.

The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian.

Macaulay.

Pre*ci"sian*ism (?), n. The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian. Milton.

Pre*ci"sian*ist, n. A precisian.

Pre*ci"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. prÈcision, L. praecisio a cutting off. See Precise.] The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness.

I have left out the utmost precisions of fractions.

Locke.

Syn. -- Preciseness; exactness; accuracy; nicety. -- Precision, Preciseness. Precision is always used in a good sense; as, precision of thought or language; precision in military evolutions. Preciseness is sometimes applied to persons or their conduct in a disparaging sense, and precise is often used in the same way.

Pre*ci"sive (?), a. Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive censure; precisive abstraction. I. Watts.

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Pre*clude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Precluding.] [L. praecludere, praeclusum; prae before + claudere to shut. See Close, v.] 1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede.

The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins.

E. Darwin.

2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation.

This much will obviate and preclude the objections.

Bentley.

Pre*clu"sion (?), n. [L. praeclusio. See Preclude.] The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.

Pre*clu"sive (?), a. Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering. -- Pre*clu"sive*ly, adv.

Pre*coce" (?), a. [F. prÈcoce.] Precocious. [Obs.]

||Pre"co*ces, n. pl. [NL.] (Zoˆl.) Same as PrÊcoces.

Pre*co"cious (?), a. [L. praecox, -ocis, and praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook, and cf. Apricot.] 1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.

Pre*co"cious*ly, adv. In a precocious manner.

{ Pre*co"cious*ness, Pre*coc"i*ty (?), } n. [Cf. F. prÈcocitÈ.] The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness; premature development, especially of the mental powers; forwardness.

Saucy precociousness in learning.

Bp. Mannyngham.

That precocity which sometimes distinguishes uncommon genius.

Wirt.

Pre*co`e*ta"ne*an (?), n. One contemporary with, but older than, another. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pre*cog"i*tate (?), v. t. [L. praecogitatus, p. p. of praecogitare. See Pre-, and Cogitate.] To cogitate beforehand. [R.] Sherwood.

Pre*cog`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. praecogitatio.] Previous cogitation. [R.] Bailey.

Pre`cog*ni"tion (?), n. [L. praecognitio, fr. praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.] 1. Previous cognition. Fotherby.

2. (Scots Law) A preliminary examination of a criminal case with reference to a prosecution. Erskine.

Pre*cog"ni*za*ble (?), a. Cognizable beforehand.

Pre*cog"nosce (?), v. t. [L. praecognoscere to foreknow.] (Scots Law) To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence.

A committee of nine precognoscing the chances.

Masson.

Pre`col*lec"tion (?), n. A collection previously made. [R.]

Pre`com*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precomposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Precomposing.] To compose beforehand. Johnson.

Pre`con*ceit" (?), n. An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception. Hooker.

Pre`con*ceive" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconceived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preconceiving.] To conceive, or form an opinion of, beforehand; to form a previous notion or idea of.

In a dead plain the way seemeth the longer, because the eye hath preconceived it shorter than the truth.

Bacon.

Pre`con*cep"tion (?), n. The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously formed.

Pre`con*cert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconcerted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconcerting.] To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement.

Pre*con"cert (?), n. Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous agreement.

Pre`con*cert"ed (?), a. Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ly, adv. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ness, n.

Pre`con*cer"tion (?), n. The act of preconcerting; preconcert. Dr. T. Dwight.

Pre`con*demn` (?), v. t. To condemn beforehand. -- Pre*con`dem*na"tion (#), n.

Pre`con*di"tion (?), n. A previous or antecedent condition; a preliminary condition.

Pre`con*form" (?), v. t. & i. To conform by way anticipation. De Quincey.

Pre`con*form"i*ty (?), n. Anticipative or antecedent conformity. Coleridge.

Pre*con"i*zate (?), v. t. [Cf. F. prÈconiser.] To proclaim; to publish; also, to summon; to call. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

Pre*con`i*za"tion (?), n. [L. praeconium a crying out in public, fr. praeco, - onis, a crier, a herald: cf. F. prÈconisation.] 1. A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation. Bp. Hall.

2. (Eccl.) A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity. Addis & Arnold.

Pre"con*ize (?), v. t. (Eccl.) To approve by preconization.

Pre*con"quer (?), v. t. To conquer in anticipation. [R.] Fuller.

Pre*con""scious (?), a. Of or pertaining to a state before consciousness.

Pre`con*sent" (?), n. A previous consent.

Pre`con*sign" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconsigned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preconsigning.] To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.

Pre`con*sol"i*da`ted (?), a. Consolidated beforehand.

Pre*con"sti*tute (?), v. t. To constitute or establish beforehand.

Pre`con*tract" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precontracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Precontracting.] To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.

Pre`con*tract" (?), v. i. To make a previous contract or agreement. Ayliffe.

Pre*con"tract (?), n. A contract preceding another; especially (Law), a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it. Abbott.

Pre`con*trive" (?), v. t. & i. To contrive or plan beforehand.

Pre*cor"a*coid (?), n. (Anat.) The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.

Pre*cor"di*al (?), a. [Pref. pre- + L. cor, cordis, heart: cf. F. prÈcordial.] (Anat.) Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the prÊcordia.

Pre*cru"ral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse.

Pre*cur"rer (?), n. A precursor. [Obs.] Shak.

Pre*curse" (?), n. [L. praecursus.] A forerunning. [Obs.] Shak.

Pre*cur"sive (?), a. Preceding; introductory; precursory. "A deep precursive sound." Coleridge.

Pre*cur"sor (?), n. [L. praecursor, fr. praecurrere to run before; prae before + currere to run. See Course.] One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger.

Evil thoughts are the invisible, airy precursors of all the storms and tempests of the soul.

Buckminster.

Syn. -- Predecessor; forerunner; harbinger; messenger; omen; sign.

Pre*cur"sor*ship, n. The position or condition of a precursor. Ruskin.