Chapter LI: Bella (84)

Defn: To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously; - - often followed by up; as, to prank up the body. See Prink. In sumptuous tire she joyed herself to prank. Spenser.

PRANK Prank, v. i.

Defn: To make ostentatious show. White houses prank where once were huts. M. Arnold.

PRANK Prank, n.

Defn: A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous trick; a caper; a frolic. Spenser. The harpies . . . played their accustomed pranks. Sir W. Raleigh. His pranks have been too broad to bear with. Shak.

PRANK Prank, a.

Defn: Full of gambols or tricks. [Obs.]

PRANKER Prank"er, n.

Defn: One who dresses showily; a prinker. "A pranker or a dancer." Burton.

PRANKISH Prank"ish, a.

Defn: Full of pranks; frolicsome.

PRASE Prase, n. Etym: [L. prasius, fr. Gr. prase.] (Min.)

Defn: A variety of cryptocrystalline of a leek-green color.

PRASEO- Pra"se*o-. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: A combining form signifying green; as, praseocobalt, a green variety of cobalt.

PRASEODYMIUM Pra`se*o*dym"i*um, n. Etym: [Praseo- + didymium.] (Chem.)

Defn: An elementary substance, one of the constituents of didymium; - - so called from the green color of its salts. Symbol Ps. Atomic weight 143.6.

PRASEOLITE Pra"se*o*lite, n. Etym: [Praseo- + -lite.] (Min.)

Defn: A variety of altered iolite of a green color and greasy luster.

PRASINOUS Pras"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. prasinus, Gr.

Defn: Grass-green; clear, lively green, without any mixture. Lindley.

PRASOID Pra"soid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.] (Min.)

Defn: Resembling prase.

PRATE Prate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prating.] Etym: [Akin to LG. & D. praten, Dan. prate, Sw. & Icel. prata.]

Defn: To talk much and to little purpose; to be loquacious; to speak foolishly; to babble. To prate and talk for life and honor. Shak. And make a fool presume to prate of love. Dryden.

PRATE Prate, v. t.

Defn: To utter foolishly; to speak without reason or purpose; to chatter, or babble. What nonsense would the fool, thy master, prate, When thou, his knave, canst talk at such a rate ! Dryden.

PRATE Prate, n. Etym: [Akin to LG. & D. praat, Sw. prat.]

Defn: Talk to little purpose; trifling talk; unmeaning loquacity. Sick of tops, and poetry, and prate. Pope.

PRATEFUL Prate"ful, a.

Defn: Talkative. [R.] W. Taylor.

PRATER Prat"er, n.

Defn: One who prates. Shak.

PRATIC Prat"ic, n.

Defn: See Pratique.

PRATINCOLE Pra"tin*cole, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any bird of the Old World genus Glareola, or family Glareolidæ, allied to the plovers. They have long, pointed wings and a forked tail.

PRATINGLY Prat"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: With idle talk; with loquacity.

PRATIQUE Prat"ique, n. Etym: [F.; cf. It. pratica, Sp. practica. See Practice.]

1. (Com.)

Defn: Primarily, liberty of converse; intercourse; hence, a certificate, given after compliance with quarantine regulations, permitting a ship to land passengers and crew; -- a term used particularly in the south of Europe.

2. Practice; habits. [Obs.] "One of English education and pratique." R. North.

PRATTLE Prat"tle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prattled; p. pr. & vb. n. Prattling.] Etym: [Freq. of prate.]

Defn: To talk much and idly; to prate; hence, to talk lightly and artlessly, like a child; to utter child's talk.

PRATTLE Prat"tle, v. t.

Defn: To utter as prattle; to babble; as, to prattle treason. Addison.

PRATTLE Prat"tle, n.

Defn: Trifling or childish tattle; empty talk; loquacity on trivial subjects; prate; babble. Mere prattle, without practice. Shak.

PRATTLEMENT Prat"tle*ment, n.

Defn: Prattle. [R.] Jeffrey.

PRATTLER Prat"tler, n.

Defn: One who prattles. Herbert.

PRAVITY Prav"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. pravitas, from pravus crooked, perverse.]

Defn: Deterioration; degeneracy; corruption; especially, moral crookedness; moral perversion; perverseness; depravity; as, the pravity of human nature. "The pravity of the will." South.

PRAWN Prawn, n. Etym: [OE. prane, of unknown origin; cf. L. perna a sea mussel.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antennæ. They mostly belong to the genera Pandalus, Palæmon, Palæmonetes, and Peneus, and are much used as food. The common English prawn in Palæmon serratus.

Note: The name is often applied to any large shrimp.

PRAXINOSCOPE Prax*in"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Opt.)

Defn: An instrument, similar to the phenakistoscope, for presenting to view, or projecting upon a screen, images the natural motions of real objects.

PRAXIS Prax"is, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Practice.]

1. Use; practice; especially, exercise or discipline for a specific purpose or object. "The praxis and theory of music." Wood.

2. An example or form of exercise, or a collection of such examples, for practice.

PRAY Pray, n. & v.

Defn: See Pry. [Obs.] Spenser.

PRAY Pray, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Praying.] Etym: [OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari, fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to ask, AS. frignan, frinan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth. fraíhnan. Cf. Deprecate, Imprecate, Precarious.]

Defn: To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving. And to his goddess pitously he preyde. Chaucer. When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matt. vi. 6. I pray, or (by ellipsis) Pray, I beg; I request; I entreat you; -- used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go. I pray, sir. why am I beaten Shak.

Syn. -- To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech; petition.

PRAY Pray, v. t.

1. To address earnest request to; to supplicate; to entreat; to implore; to beseech. And as this earl was preyed, so did he. Chaucer. We pray you . . . by ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. v. 20.

2. To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for. I know not how to pray your patience. Shak.

3. To effect or accomplish by praying; as, to pray a soul out of purgatory. Milman. To pray in aid. (Law) (a) To call in as a helper one who has an interest in the cause. Bacon. (b) A phrase often used to signify claiming the benefit of an argument. See under Aid. Mozley & W.

PRAYER Pray"er, n.

Defn: One who prays; a supplicant.

PRAYER Prayer (, n. Etym: [OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F. prière, fr. L. precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari to pray. See Pray, v. i.]

1. The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative body. "Their meek preyere." Chaucer

2. The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer. As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. Shak.

3. The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers. He made those excellent prayers which were published immediately after his death. Bp. Fell. Prayer book, a book containing devotional prayers. -- Prayer meeting, a meeting or gathering for prayer to God.

Syn. -- Petition; orison; supplication; entreaty; suit.

PRAYERFUL Prayer"ful, a.

Defn: Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional. "The prayerful man." J. S. Blackie. -- Prayer"ful*ly, adv. -- Prayer"ful*ness, n.

PRAYERLESS Prayer"less, a.

Defn: Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer to God; without prayer. "The next time you go prayerless to bed." Baxter. -- Prayer"less*ly, adv. -- Prayer"less*ness, n.

PRAYING Pray"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Pray, v. Praying insect, locust, or mantis (Zoöl.), a mantis, especially Mantis religiosa. See Mantis. -- Praying machine, or Praying wheel, a wheel on which prayers are pasted by Buddhist priests, who then put the wheel in rapid revolution. Each turn in supposed to have the efficacy of an oral repetition of all the prayers on the wheel. Sometimes it is moved by a stream.

PRAYINGLY Pray"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: With supplication to God.

PRE- Pre-. Etym: [L. prae, adv. & prep., before, akin to pro, and to E. for, prep.: cf. F. pré-. See Pro-, and cf. Prior.]

Defn: A prefix denoting priority (of time, place, or rank); as, precede, to go before; precursor, a forerunner; prefix, to fix or place before; preëminent eminent before or above others. Pre- is sometimes used intensively, as in prepotent, very potent. [Written also præ-.]

PREACCUSATION Pre*ac`cu*sa"tion, n.

Defn: Previous accusation.

PREACE Preace, v. & n.

Defn: Press. [Obs.] Spenser.

PREACH Preach, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preached; p. pr. & vb. n. Preaching.] Etym: [OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F. prêcher, fr. L. praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim; prae before + dicare to make known, dicere to say; or perhaps from (assumed) LL. praedictare. See Diction, and cf. Predicate, Predict.]

1. To proclaim or publish tidings; specifically, to proclaim the gospel; to discourse publicly on a religious subject, or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a sermon. How shall they preach, except they be sent Rom. x. 15. From that time Jesus began to preach. Matt. iv. 17.

2. To give serious advice on morals or religion; to discourse in the manner of a preacher.

PREACH Preach, v. t.

1. To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal religious harangue. That Cristes gospel truly wolde preche. Chaucer. The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. Isa. lxi. 1.

2. To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness by public teaching. "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." Ps. xl. 9.

3. To deliver or pronounce; as, to preach a sermon.

4. To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching. [R.] "As ye are preached." Southey.

5. To advise or recommend earnestly. My master preaches patience to him. Shak. To preach down, to oppress, or humiliate by preaching. Tennyson. -- To preach up, to exalt by preaching; to preach in support of; as, to preach up equality.

PREACH Preach, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prêche, fr. prêcher. See Preach, v.]

Defn: A religious discourse. [Obs.] Hooker.

PREACHER Preach"er, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. preeschierre, prescheur, F. prêcheur, L. praedicator.]

1. One who preaches; one who discourses publicly on religious subjects. How shall they hear without a preacher Rom. x. 14.

2. One who inculcates anything with earnestness. No preacher is listened to but Time. Swift. Preacher bird (Zoöl.), a toucan.

PREACHERSHIP Preach"er*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a preacher. "The preachership of the Rolls." Macaulay.

PREACHIFY Preach"i*fy, v. i. Etym: [Preach + -fy.]

Defn: To discourse in the manner of a preacher. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

PREACHING Preach"ing, n.

Defn: The act of delivering a religious discourse; the art of sermonizing; also, a sermon; a public religious discourse; serious, earnest advice. Milner. Preaching cross, a cross, sometimes surmounting a pulpit, erected out of doors to designate a preaching place. -- Preaching friars. See Dominican.

PREACHMAN Preach"man, n.; pl. Preachmen (.

Defn: A preacher; -- so called in contempt. [Obs.] Howell.

PREACHMENT Preach"ment, n.

Defn: A religious harangue; a sermon; -- used derogatively. Shak.

PREACQUAINT Pre`ac*quaint", v. t.

Defn: To acquaint previously or beforehand. Fielding.

PREACQUAINTANCE Pre`ac*quaint"ance, n.

Defn: Previous acquaintance or knowledge. Harris.

PREACT Pre*act", v. t.

Defn: To act beforehand; to perform previously.

PREACTION Pre*ac"tion, n.

Defn: Previous action.

PREADAMIC Pre`a*dam"ic, a.

Defn: Prior to Adam.

PREADAMITE Pre*ad"am*ite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. préadamite.]

1. An inhabitant of the earth before Adam.

2. One who holds that men existed before Adam.

PREADAMITIC Pre*ad`am*it"ic, a.

Defn: Existing or occurring before Adam; preadamic; as, preadamitic periods.

PREADJUSTMENT Pre`ad*just"ment, n.

Defn: Previous adjustment.

PREADMINISTRATION Pre`ad*min`is*tra"tion, n.

Defn: Previous administration. Bp. Pearson.

PREADMISSION Pre`ad*mis"sion, n.

Defn: Lit., previous admission; specif. (Engin.),

Defn: admission, as of steam, to the engine cylinder before the back stroke is completed, thus increasing the cushioning.

PREADMONISH Pre`ad*mon"ish, v. t.

Defn: To admonish previously.

PREADMONITION Pre*ad`mo*ni"tion, n.

Defn: Previous warning or admonition; forewarning.

PREADVERTISE Pre*ad`ver*tise", v. t.

Defn: To advertise beforehand; to preannounce publicly.

PREAMBLE Pre"am`ble, n. Etym: [LL. praeambulum, from L. praeambulus walking before, fr. praeambulare to walk before; prae before + ambulare to walk: cf. F. préambule. See Amble.]

Defn: A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

PREAMBLE Pre"am`ble, v. t. & i.

Defn: To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble. [R.] Feltham. Milton.

PREAMBULARY Pre*am"bu*la*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. preambulaire.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a preamble; introductory; contained or provided for in a preamble. "A preambulary tax." [R.] Burke.

PREAMBULATE Pre*am"bu*late, v. i. Etym: [L. praeambulare. See Preamble.]

Defn: To walk before. [R.] Jordan.

PREAMBULATION Pre*am`bu*la"tion, n.

1. A walking or going before; precedence. [R.]

2. A preamble. [Obs.] Chaucer.

PREAMBULATORY Pre*am"bu*la*to*ry, a.

Defn: Preceding; going before; introductory. [R.] Simon Magus had preambulatory impieties. Jer. Taylor.

PREAMBULOUS Pre*am"bu*lous, a. Etym: [See Preamble, n.]

Defn: See Perambulatory. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

PREANNOUNCE Pre`an*nounce", v. t.

Defn: To announce beforehand. Coleridge.

PREANTENULTIMATE Pre*an`te*nul"ti*mate, a.

Defn: Being or indicating the fourth syllable from the end of a word, or that before the antepenult.

PREAORTIC Pre`a*or"tic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: In front, or on the ventral side, of the aorta.

PREAPPOINT Pre`ap*point", v. t.

Defn: To appoint previously, or beforehand. Carlyle.

PREAPPOINTMENT Pre`ap*point"ment, n.

Defn: Previous appointment.

PREAPPREHENSION Pre*ap`pre*hen"sion, n.

Defn: An apprehension or opinion formed before examination or knowledge. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

PREARM Pre*arm", v. t.

Defn: To forearm. [R.]

PREARRANGE Pre`ar*range", v. t.

Defn: To arrange beforehand.

PREASE Prease, v. t. & i.

Defn: To press; to crowd. [Obs.] -- n.

Defn: A press; a crowd. [Obs.] Spenser.

PREASSURANCE Pre`as*sur"ance, n.

Defn: Previous assurance. Coleridge.

PREATAXIC Pre`a*tax"ic, a. (Med.)

Defn: Occurring before the symptom ataxia has developed; -- applied to the early symptoms of locomotor ataxia.

PREAUDIENCE Pre*au"di*ence, n. (Eng. Law)

Defn: Precedence of rank at the bar among lawyers. Blackstone.

PREAXIAL Pre*ax"i*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Situated in front of any transverse axis in the body of an animal; anterior; cephalic; esp., in front, or on the anterior, or cephalic (that is, radial or tibial) side of the axis of a limb.

PREBEND Pre"bend, n. Etym: [F. prébende (cf. It. & Sp. prebenda), from L. praebenda, from L. praebere to hold forth, afford, contr. fr. praehibere; prae before + habere to have, hold. See Habit, and cf. Provender.]

1. A payment or stipend; esp., the stipend or maintenance granted to a prebendary out of the estate of a cathedral or collegiate, church with which he is connected. See Note under Benefice.

2. A prebendary. [Obs.] Bacon. Dignitary prebend, one having jurisdiction annexed to it. -- Simple prebend, one without jurisdiction.

PREBENDAL Pre*ben"dal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a prebend; holding a prebend; as, a prebendal priest or stall. Chesterfield.

PREBENDARY Preb"en*da*ry, n. Etym: [LL. praebendarius: cf. F. prébendaire. See Prebend.]

1. A clergyman attached to a collegiate or cathedral church who enjoys a prebend in consideration of his officiating at stated times in the church. See Note under Benefice, n., 3. Hook.

2. A prebendaryship. [Obs.] Bailey.

PREBENDARYSHIP Preb"en*da*ry*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a prebendary.

PREBENDATE Preb"en*date, v. t. Etym: [LL. praebendatus, p. p. of praebendari.]

Defn: To invest with the office of prebendary; to present to a prebend. [Obs.] Grafton.

PREBENDSHIP Preb"end*ship, n.

Defn: A prebendaryship. [Obs.] Foxe.

PREBRONCHIAL Pre*bron"chi*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Situated in front of the bronchus; -- applied especially to an air sac on either side of the esophagus of birds.

PRECALCULATE Pre*cal"cu*late, v. t.

Defn: To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange. Masson.

PRECANT Pre"cant, n. Etym: [L. precans, -antis, p. pr. of precari to pray.]

Defn: One who prays. [R.] Coleridge.

PRECARIOUS Pre*ca"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray.]

1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. Addison.

2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. "Intervals of partial and precarious liberty." Macaulay.

Syn. -- Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious; equivocal. -- Precarious, Uncertain. Precarious in stronger than uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari, it first signified "granted to entreaty," and, hence, "wholly dependent on the will of another." Thus it came to express the highest species of uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend wholly on future casualties. -- Pre*ca"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Pre*ca"ri*ous*ness, n.

PRECATION Pre*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. precatio.]

Defn: The act of praying; supplication; entreaty. Cotton.

PRECATIVE; PRECATORY Pre"ca*tive, Pre"ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See Precarious.]

Defn: 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.

PRECAUTION Pre*cau"tion, n. Etym: [F. précation, 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.

PRECAUTION Pre*cau"tion, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. précautionner.]

1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke.

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

PRECAUTIONAL Pre*cau"tion*al, a.

Defn: Precautionary.

PRECAUTIONARY Pre*cau"tion*a*ry, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as, precautionary signals.

PRECAUTIOUS Pre*cau"tious, a.

Defn: Taking or using precaution; precautionary. -- Pre*cau"tious*ly, adv. -- Pre*cau"*tious*ness, n.

PRECEDANEOUS Pre`ce*da"ne*ous, a.

Defn: Preceding; antecedent; previous. [Obs.] Hammond.

PRECEDE Pre*cede", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.] Etym: [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. 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.

PRECEDENCE; PRECEDENCY Pre*ced"ence, Pre*ced"en*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. précédence. 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; preëminence; preference; superiority.

PRECEDENT Pre*ced"ent, a. Etym: [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See Precede.]

Defn: 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.

PRECEDENT 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)

Defn: 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.

PRECEDENTED Prec"e*dent*ed, a.

Defn: Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of a like kind. Walpole.

PRECEDENTIAL Prec`e*den"tial, a.

Defn: 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.

PRECEDENTLY Pre*ced"ent*ly, adv.

Defn: Beforehand; antecedently.

PRECEDING Pre*ced"ing, a.

1. Going before; -- opposed to following.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.

PRECEL Pre*cel", v. t. & i. Etym: [See Precellence.]

Defn: To surpass; to excel; to exceed. [Obs.] Howell.

PRECELLENCE; PRECELLENCY Pre*cel"lence, Pre*cel"len*cy, n. Etym: [L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.]

Defn: Excellence; superiority. [Obs.] Sheldon.

PRECELLENT Pre*cel"lent, a. Etym: [L. praecellens, p. pr.]

Defn: Excellent; surpassing. [Obs.] Holland.

PRECENTOR Pre*cen"tor, n. Etym: [L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See Chant.]

Defn: 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.

PRECENTORSHIP Pre*cen"tor*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a precentor.

PRECEPT Pre"cept, n. Etym: [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. précepte. 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)

Defn: A command in writing; a species of writ or process. Burrill.

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

PRECEPT Pre"cept, v. t.

Defn: To teach by precepts. [Obs.] Bacon.

PRECEPTIAL Pre*cep"tial, a.

Defn: Preceptive. [Obs.] [Passion] would give preceptial medicine to rage. Shak.

PRECEPTION Pre*cep"tion, n. Etym: [L. praeceptio.]

Defn: A precept. [R.] Bp. Hall.

PRECEPTIVE Pre*cep"tive, a. Etym: [L. praeceptivus.]

Defn: 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.

PRECEPTOR Pre*cep"tor, n. Etym: [L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to teach: cf. F. précepteur. 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.

PRECEPTORIAL Pre`cep*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a preceptor.

PRECEPTORY Pre*cep"to*ry, a.

Defn: Preceptive. "A law preceptory." Anderson (1573).

PRECEPTORY Pre*cep"to*ry, n.; pl. Preceptories. Etym: [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.]

Defn: A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See Commandery, n., 2.

PRECEPTRESS Pre*cep"tress, n.

Defn: A woman who is the principal of a school; a female teacher.

PRECESSION Pre*ces"sion, n. Etym: [L. praecedere, praecessum, to go before: cf. F. précession. See Precede.]

Defn: 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" 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.

PRECESSIONAL Pre*ces"sion*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to pression; as, the precessional movement of the equinoxes.

PRECESSOR Pre*ces"sor, n. Etym: [L. praecessor.]

Defn: A predecessor. [Obs.] Fuller.

PRECIEUSE Pré`cieuse", n.

Defn: An affected woman of polite society, esp. one of the literary women of the French salons of the 17th century.

PRECINCT Pre"cinct, n. Etym: [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.

PRECIOSITY Pre`ci*os"i*ty, n.

Defn: Preciousness; something precious. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

PRECIOUS Pre"cious, a. Etym: [OF. precious, precius, precios, F. précieux, 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.

Note: 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.

PRECIOUSLY Pre"cious*ly, adv.

Defn: In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.

PRECIOUSNESS Pre"cious*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness.

PRECIPE Prec"i*pe, n. (Law)

Defn: See Præcipe, and Precept.

PRECIPICE Prec"i*pice, n. Etym: [F. précipice, 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.

PRECIPIENT Pre*cip"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. praecipiens, p. pr. See Precept.]

Defn: Commanding; directing.

PRECIPITABILITY Pre*cip`i*ta*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being precipitable.

PRECIPITABLE Pre*cip"i*ta*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a substance in solution. See Precipitate, n. (Chem.)

PRECIPITANCE; PRECIPITANCY Pre*cip"i*tance, Pre*cip"i*tan*cy, n. Etym: [From Precipitant.]

Defn: 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.

PRECIPITANT Pre*cip"i*tant, a. Etym: [L. praecipitans, -antis, p. pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. précipitant. 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.

PRECIPITANT Pre*cip"i*tant, n. (Chem.)

Defn: Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a precipitate.

PRECIPITANTLY Pre*cip"i*tant*ly, adv.

Defn: With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner. Milton.

PRECIPITANTNESS Pre*cip"i*tant*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation.

PRECIPITATE Pre*cip"i*tate, a. Etym: [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.

PRECIPITATE Pre*cip"i*tate, n. Etym: [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F. précipité.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.

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.)

Defn: 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.

PRECIPITATE 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.)

Defn: To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See Precipitate, n.

PRECIPITATELY Pre*cip"i*tate*ly, adv.

Defn: In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly. Swift.

PRECIPITATION Pre*cip`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. praecipitatio: cf. F. précipitation.]

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.)

Defn: The act or process from a solution.

PRECIPITATOR Pre*cip"i*ta`tor, n. Etym: [L. praecipitator an overthrower.]

Defn: One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness. Hammond.

PRECIPITIOUS Prec`i*pi"tious, a.

Defn: Precipitous. [Obs.] -- Prec`i*pi"tious*ly, adv. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

PRECIPITOUS Pre*cip"i*tous, a. Etym: [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 `Hush!'" Mrs. Browning. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness, n.

PRECIS Pre`cis", n. Etym: [F. See Precise.]

Defn: A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a summary.

PRECISE Pre*cise", a. Etym: [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. précis. 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.

PRECISIAN 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.

PRECISIANISM Pre*ci"sian*ism, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian. Milton.

PRECISIANIST Pre*ci"sian*ist, n.

Defn: A precisian.

PRECISION Pre*ci"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. précision, L. praecisio a cutting off. See Precise.]

Defn: 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.

PRECISIVE Pre*ci"sive, a.

Defn: Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive censure; precisive abstraction. I. Watts.

PRECLUDE Pre*clude", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Precluding.] Etym: [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.

PRECLUSION Pre*clu"sion, n. Etym: [L. praeclusio. See Preclude.]

Defn: The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.

PRECLUSIVE Pre*clu"sive, a.

Defn: Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering. -- Pre*clu"sive*ly, adv.

PRECOCE Pre*coce", a. Etym: [F. précoce.]

Defn: Precocious. [Obs.]

PRECOCES Pre"co*ces, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Præcoces.

PRECOCIOUS Pre*co"cious, a. Etym: [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.

PRECOCIOUSLY Pre*co"cious*ly, adv.

Defn: In a precocious manner.

PRECOCIOUSNESS; PRECOCITY Pre*co"cious*ness, Pre*coc"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. précocité.]

Defn: 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.

PRECOETANEAN Pre*co`e*ta"ne*an, n.

Defn: One contemporary with, but older than, another. [Obs.] Fuller.

PRECOGITATE Pre*cog"i*tate, v. t. Etym: [L. praecogitatus, p. p. of praecogitare. See Pre-, and Cogitate.]

Defn: To cogitate beforehand. [R.] Sherwood.

PRECOGITATION Pre*cog`i*tation, n. Etym: [L. praecogitatio.]

Defn: Previous cogitation. [R.] Bailey.

PRECOGNITION Pre`cog*ni"tion, n. Etym: [L. praecognitio, fr. praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.]

1. Previous cognition. Fotherby.

2. (Scots Law)

Defn: A preliminary examination of a criminal case with reference to a prosecution. Erskine.

PRECOGNIZABLE Pre*cog"ni*za*ble, a.

Defn: Cognizable beforehand.

PRECOGNOSCE Pre*cog"nosce, v. t. Etym: [L. praecognoscere to foreknow.] (Scots Law)

Defn: To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence. A committee of nine precognoscing the chances. Masson.

PRECOLLECTION Pre`col*lec"tion, n.

Defn: A collection previously made. [R.]

PRECOMPOSE Pre`com*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precomposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Precomposing.]

Defn: To compose beforehand. Johnson.

PRECONCEIT Pre`con*ceit", n.

Defn: An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception. Hooker.

PRECONCEIVE Pre`con*ceive", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconceived; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconceiving.]

Defn: 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.

PRECONCEPTION Pre`con*cep"tion, n.

Defn: The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously formed.

PRECONCERT Pre`con*cert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconcerted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconcerting.]

Defn: To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement.

PRECONCERT Pre*con"cert, n.

Defn: Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous agreement.

PRECONCERTED Pre`con*cert"ed, a.

Defn: Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ly, adv. -- Pre`con*cert"ed*ness, n.

PRECONCERTION Pre`con*cer"tion, n.

Defn: The act of preconcerting; preconcert. Dr. T. Dwight.

PRECONDEMN Pre`con*demn`, v. t.

Defn: To condemn beforehand. -- Pre*con`dem*na"tion, n.

PRECONDITION Pre`con*di"tion, n.

Defn: A previous or antecedent condition; a preliminary condition.

PRECONFORM Pre`con*form", v. t. & i.

Defn: To conform by way anticipation. De Quincey.

PRECONFORMITY Pre`con*form"i*ty, n.

Defn: Anticipative or antecedent conformity. Coleridge.

PRECONIZATE Pre*con"i*zate, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. préconiser.]

Defn: To proclaim; to publish; also, to summon; to call. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

PRECONIZATION Pre*con`i*za"tion, n. Etym: [L. praeconium a crying out in public, fr. praeco, -onis, a crier, a herald: cf. F. préconisation.]

1. A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation. Bp. Hall.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity. Addis & Arnold.

PRECONIZE Pre"con*ize, v. t. (Eccl.)

Defn: To approve by preconization.

PRECONQUER Pre*con"quer, v. t.

Defn: To conquer in anticipation. [R.] Fuller.

PRECONSCIOUS Pre*con""scious, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a state before consciousness.

PRECONSENT Pre`con*sent", n.

Defn: A previous consent.

PRECONSIGN Pre`con*sign", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconsigned; p. pr. & vb. n. Preconsigning.]

Defn: To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.

PRECONSOLIDATED Pre`con*sol"i*da`ted, a.

Defn: Consolidated beforehand.

PRECONSTITUTE Pre*con"sti*tute, v. t.

Defn: To constitute or establish beforehand.

PRECONTRACT Pre`con*tract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precontracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Precontracting.]

Defn: To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.

PRECONTRACT Pre`con*tract", v. i.

Defn: To make a previous contract or agreement. Ayliffe.

PRECONTRACT Pre*con"tract, n.

Defn: A contract preceding another; especially (Law),

Defn: a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it. Abbott.

PRECONTRIVE Pre`con*trive", v. t. & i.

Defn: To contrive or plan beforehand.

PRECORACOID Pre*cor"a*coid, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.

PRECORDIAL Pre*cor"di*al, a. Etym: [Pref. pre- + L. cor, cordis, heart: cf. F. précordial.] (Anat.)

Defn: Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the præcordia.

PRECRURAL Pre*cru"ral, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse.

PRECURRER Pre*cur"rer, n.

Defn: A precursor. [Obs.] Shak.

PRECURSE Pre*curse", n. Etym: [L. praecursus.]

Defn: A forerunning. [Obs.] Shak.

PRECURSIVE Pre*cur"sive, a.

Defn: Preceding; introductory; precursory. "A deep precursive sound." Coleridge.

PRECURSOR Pre*cur"sor, n. Etym: [L. praecursor, fr. praecurrere to run before; prae before + currere to run. See Course.]

Defn: 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.

PRECURSORSHIP Pre*cur"sor*ship, n.

Defn: The position or condition of a precursor. Ruskin.

PRECURSORY Pre*cur"so*ry, a. Etym: [L. praecursorius.]

Defn: Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever.

PRECURSORY Pre*cur"so*ry, n.

Defn: An introduction. [Obs.]

PREDACEAN Pre*da"cean, n. Etym: [L. praeda prey.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A carnivorous animal. Kirby.

PREDACEOUS Pre*da"ceous, a. Etym: [L. praeda prey. See Prey.]

Defn: Living by prey; predatory. Derham.

PREDAL Pre"dal, a. Etym: [L. praeda prey.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to prey; plundering; predatory. [R.] Boyse.

PREDATE Pre*date", v. t.

Defn: To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or letter.

PREDATION Pre*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. praedatio, fr. praedari to plunder.]

Defn: The act of pillaging. E. Hall.

PREDATORILY Pred"a*to*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a predatory manner.

PREDATORY Pred"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. praedatorius, fr. praedari to plunder, fr. praeda prey. See Prey.]

1. Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party. "A predatory war." Macaulay.

2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits. [Obs.] Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and predatory. Bacon.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous.

PREDE Prede, v. i. Etym: [L. praedari. See Prey.]

Defn: To prey; to plunder. [Obs.] Holinshed.

PREDE Prede, n.

Defn: Prey; plunder; booty. [Obs.] Holinshed.

PREDECAY Pre"de*cay`, n.

Defn: Premature decay.

PREDECEASE Pre`de*cease, v. t.

Defn: To die sooner than. "If children predecease progenitors." Shak.

PREDECEASE Pre"de*cease`, n.

Defn: The death of one person or thing before another. [R.] Brougham.

PREDECESSIVE Pred`e*ces"sive, a.

Defn: Going before; preceding. "Our predecessive students." Massinger.

PREDECESSOR Pred`e*ces"sor, n. Etym: [L. praedecessor; prae before + decessor one who withdraws from the province he has governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf. F. prédécesseur. See Decease.]

Defn: One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position. A prince who was as watchful as his predecessor had been over the interests of the state. Prescott.

PREDECLARE Pre`de*clare", v. t.

Defn: To declare or announce beforehand; to preannounce. Milman.

PREDEDICATION Pre*ded`i*ca"tion, n.

Defn: A dedication made previously or beforehand.

PREDEFINE Pre`de*fine, v. t.

Defn: To define beforehand.

PREDELIBERATION Pre`de*lib`er*a"tion, n.

Defn: Previous deliberation.

PREDELINEATION Pre`de*lin`e*a"tion, n.

Defn: Previous delineation.

PREDELLA Pre*del"la, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: The step, or raised secondary part, of an altar; a superaltar; hence, in Italian painting, a band or frieze of several pictures running along the front of a superaltar, or forming a border or frame at the foot of an altarpiece.

PREDESIGN Pre`de*sign", v. t.

Defn: To design or purpose beforehand; to predetermine. Mitford.

PREDESIGNATE Pre*des"ig*nate, a. (Logic)

Defn: A term used by Sir William Hamilton to define propositions having their quantity indicated by a verbal sign; as, all, none, etc.; -- contrasted with preindesignate, defining propositions of which the quantity is not so indicated.

PREDESTINARIAN Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to predestination; as, the predestinarian controversy. Waterland.

PREDESTINARIAN Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an, n.

Defn: One who believes in or supports the doctrine of predestination. Dr. H. More.

PREDESTINARIANISM Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an*ism, n.

Defn: The system or doctrine of the predestinarians.

PREDESTINARY Pre*des"ti*na*ry, a.

Defn: Predestinarian. [Obs.] Heylin.

PREDESTINATE Pre*des"ti*nate, a. Etym: [L. praedestinatus, p. p. of praedestinare to predestine; prae before + destinare to determine. See Destine.]

Defn: Predestinated; foreordained; fated. "A predestinate scratched face." Shak.

PREDESTINATE Pre*des"ti*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predestinated; p. pr. & vb. n. Predestinating.] Etym: [Cf. Predestine.]

Defn: To predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose or decree; to preëlect. Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. Rom. viii. 29.

Syn. -- To predetermine; foreordain; preordain; decree; predestine; foredoom.

PREDESTINATION Pre*des`ti*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. praedestinatio: cf. F. prédestination.]

1. The act of predestinating. Predestination had overruled their will. Milton.

2. (Theol.)

Defn: The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all events; especially, the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery. See Calvinism.

PREDESTINATIVE Pre*des"ti*na*tive, a.

Defn: Determining beforehand; predestinating. [R.] Coleridge.

PREDESTINATOR Pre*des"ti*na`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédestinateur.]

1. One who predestinates, or foreordains.

2. One who holds to the doctrine of predestination; a predestinarian. Cowley.

PREDESTINE Pre*des"tine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predestined; p. pr. & vb. n. Predestining.] Etym: [Cf. F. prédestiner. See Predestinate.]

Defn: To decree beforehand; to foreordain; to predestinate. Young.

PREDESTINY Pre*des"ti*ny, n.

Defn: Predestination. [Obs.]

PREDETERMINABLE Pre`de*ter"mi*na*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being determined beforehand. Coleridge.

PREDETERMINATE Pre`de*ter"mi*nate, a.

Defn: Determined beforehand; as, the predeterminate counsel of God.

PREDETERMINATION Pre`de*ter`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédétermination.]

Defn: The act of previous determination; a purpose formed beforehand; as, the predetermination of God's will. Hammond.

PREDETERMINE Pre`de*ter"mine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predetermined; p. pr. & vb. n. Predermining.] Etym: [Pref. pre- + determine: cf. F. prédéterminer.]

1. To determine (something) beforehand. Sir M. Hale.

2. To doom by previous decree; to foredoom.

PREDETERMINE Pre`de*ter"mine, v. i.

Defn: To determine beforehand.

PREDIAL Pre"di*al, a. Etym: [L. praedium a farm, estate: cf. F. prédial.]

1. Consisting of land or farms; landed; as, predial estate; that is, real estate. Ayliffe.

2. Attached to land or farms; as, predial slaves.

3. Issuing or derived from land; as, predial tithes.

PREDIASTOLIC Pre*di`as*tol"ic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Preceding the diastole of the heart; as, a prediastolic friction sound.

PREDICABILITY Pred`i*ca*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being predicable, or affirmable of something, or attributed to something. Reid.

PREDICABLE Pred"i*ca*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prédicable, L. praedicabilis praiseworthy. See Predicate.]

Defn: Capable of being predicated or affirmed of something; affirmable; attributable.

PREDICABLE Pred"i*ca*ble, n.

1. Anything affirmable of another; especially, a general attribute or notion as affirmable of, or applicable to, many individuals.

2. (Logic)

Defn: One of the five most general relations of attributes involved in logical arrangements, namely, genus, species, difference, property, and accident.

PREDICAMENT Pre*dic"a*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédicament, L. praedicamentum. See Predicate.]

1. A class or kind described by any definite marks; hence, condition; particular situation or state; especially, an unfortunate or trying position or condition. "O woeful sympathy; piteous predicament!" Shak.

2. (Logic)

Defn: See Category.

Syn. -- Category; condition; state; plight.

PREDICAMENTAL Pre*dic`a*men"tal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a predicament. John Hall (1646).

PREDICANT Pred"i*cant, a. Etym: [L. praedicans, -antis, p. pr. of praedicare. See Predicate.]

Defn: Predicating; affirming; declaring; proclaiming; hence; preaching. "The Roman predicant orders." N. Brit. Rev.

PREDICANT Pred"i*cant, n.

Defn: One who predicates, affirms, or proclaims; specifically, a preaching friar; a Dominican.

PREDICATE Pred"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Predicating.] Etym: [L. praedicatus, p. p. of praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim. See Preach.]

1. To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow.

2. To found; to base. [U.S.]

Note: Predicate is sometimes used in the United States for found or base; as, to predicate an argument on certain principles; to predicate a statement on information received. Predicate is a term in logic, and used only in a single case, namely, when we affirm one thing of another. "Similitude is not predicated of essences or substances, but of figures and qualities only." Cudworth.

PREDICATE Pred"i*cate, v. i.

Defn: To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation. Sir M. Hale.

PREDICATE Pred"i*cate, n. Etym: [L. praedicatum, neut. of praedicatus, p. p. praedicare: cf. F. prédicat. See Predicate, v. t.]

1. (Logic)

Defn: That which is affirmed or denied of the subject. In these propositions, "Paper is white," "Ink is not white," whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and denied of ink.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject.

Syn. -- Affirmation; declaration.

PREDICATE Pred"i*cate, a. Etym: [L. praedicatus, p. p.]

Defn: Predicated.

PREDICATION Pred`i*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. praedicatio: cf. F. prédication.]

1. The act of predicating, or of affirming one thing of another; affirmation; assertion. Locke.

2. Preaching. [Obs. or Scot.] Chaucer.

PREDICATIVE Pred"i*ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. praedicativus.]

Defn: Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming; predicating, as, a predicative term. -- Pred"i*ca*tive*ly, adv.

PREDICATORY Pred"i*ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. L. praedicatorius praising.]

Defn: Affirmative; positive. Bp. Hall.

PREDICROTIC Pre`di*crot"ic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: A term applied to the pulse wave sometimes seen in a pulse curve or sphygmogram, between the apex of the curve and the dicrotic wave. The predicrotic or tidal wave is best marked in a hard pulse, i. e., where the blood pressure is high. Landois & Stirling.

PREDICT Pre*dict", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Predicting.] Etym: [L. praedictus, p. p. of praedicere to predict; prae before + dicere to say, tell. See Diction, and cf. Preach.]

Defn: To tell or declare beforehand; to foretell; to prophesy; to presage; as, to predict misfortune; to predict the return of a comet.

Syn. -- To foretell; prophesy; prognosticate; presage; forebode; foreshow; bode.

PREDICT Pre*dict", n.

Defn: A prediction. [Obs.] Shak.

PREDICTABLE Pre*dict"a*ble, a.

Defn: That may be predicted.

PREDICTION Pre*dic"tion, n. Etym: [L. praedictio: cf. F. prédiction.]

Defn: The act of foretelling; also, that which is foretold; prophecy. The predictions of cold and long winters. Bacon.

Syn. -- Prophecy; prognostication; foreboding; augury; divination; soothsaying; vaticination.

PREDICTIONAL Pre*dic"tion*al, a.

Defn: Prophetic; prognostic. [R.]

PREDICTIVE Pre*dict"ive, a. Etym: [L. praedictivus.]

Defn: Foretelling; prophetic; foreboding. -- Pre*dict"ive*ly, adv.

PREDICTOR Pre*dict"or, n.

Defn: One who predicts; a foreteller.

PREDICTORY Pre*dict"o*ry, a.

Defn: Predictive. [R.] Fuller.

PREDIGEST Pre`di*gest", v. t. (Med.)

Defn: To subject (food) to predigestion or artificial digestion.

PREDIGESTION Pre`di*ges"tion, n.

1. Digestion too soon performed; hasty digestion. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Artificial digestion of food for use in illness or impaired digestion.

PREDILECT Pre`di*lect", v. t.

Defn: To elect or choose beforehand. [R.] Walter Harte.

PREDILECTION Pre`di*lec"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. pre- + L. dilectus, p. p. diligere to prefer: cf. F. prédilection. See Diligent.]

Defn: A previous liking; a prepossession of mind in favor of something; predisposition to choose or like; partiality. Burke.

PREDISCOVER Pre`dis*cov"er, v. t.

Defn: To discover beforehand.

PREDISCOVERY Pre`dis*cov"er*y, n.

Defn: A previous discovery.

PREDISPONENCY Pre`dis*po"nen*cy, n.

Defn: The state of being predisposed; predisposition. [R.]

PREDISPONENT Pre`dis*po"nent, a.

Defn: Disposing beforehand; predisposing. -- n.

Defn: That which predisposes. Predisponent causes. (Med.) See Predisposing causes, under Predispose. Dunglison.

PREDISPOSE Pre`dis*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predisposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Predisposing.] Etym: [Pref. pre- + dispose: cf. F. prédisposer.]

1. To dispose or incline beforehand; to give a predisposition or bias to; as, to predispose the mind to friendship.

2. To make fit or susceptible beforehand; to give a tendency to; as, debility predisposes the body to disease. Predisposing causes (Med.), causes which render the body liable to disease; predisponent causes.

PREDISPOSITION Pre*dis`po*si"tion, n.Etym: [Pref. pre- + disposition: cf. F. prédisposition.]

1. The act of predisposing, or the state of being predisposed; previous inclination, tendency, or propensity; predilection; -- applied to the mind; as, a predisposition to anger.

2. Previous fitness or adaptation to any change, impression, or purpose; susceptibility; -- applied to material things; as, the predisposition of the body to disease.

PREDOMINANCE Pre*dom"i*nance, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédominance.]

1. The quality or state of being predominant; superiority; ascendency; prevalence; predomination. The predominance of conscience over interest. South.

2. (Astrol.)

Defn: The superior influence of a planet. Shak.

PREDOMINANCY Pre*dom"i*nan*cy, n.

Defn: Predominance. Bacon.

PREDOMINANT Pre*dom"i*nant, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prédominant. See Predominante.]

Defn: Having the ascendency over others; superior in strength, influence, or authority; prevailing; as, a predominant color; predominant excellence. Those help . . . were predominant in the king's mind. Bacon. Foul subordination is predominant. Shak.

Syn. -- Prevalent; superior; prevailing; ascendant; ruling; reigning; controlling; overruling.

PREDOMINANTLY Pre*dom"i*nant*ly, adv.

Defn: In a predominant manner.

PREDOMINATE Pre*dom"i*nate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Predominated; p. pr. & vb. n. Predominating.] Etym: [Pref. pre- + dominate: cf. F. prédominer.]

Defn: To be superior in number, strength, influence, or authority; to have controlling power or influence; to prevail; to rule; to have the mastery; as, love predominated in her heart. [Certain] rays may predominate over the rest. Sir. I. Newton.

PREDOMINATE Pre*dom"i*nate, v. t.

Defn: To rule over; to overpower. [R.]

PREDOMINATION Pre*dom`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédomination.]

Defn: The act or state of predominating; ascendency; predominance. W. Browne.

PREDOOM Pre*doom", v. t.

Defn: To foredoom.

PREDORSAL Pre*dor"sal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Situated in front of the back; immediately in front, or on the ventral side the dorsal part of the vertebral column.

PREDY Pre"dy, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prêt ready.]

Defn: Cleared and ready for engagement, as a ship. Smart.

PREEDY Preed"y, adv.

Defn: With ease. [Prov. Eng.]

PREEF Preef, n.

Defn: Proof. [Obs.] Chaucer.

PREELECT Pre`ë*lect", v. t.

Defn: To elect beforehand.

PREELECTION Pre`ë*lec"tion, n.

Defn: Election beforehand.

PREEMINENCE Pre*ëm"i*nence, n. Etym: [F. pré\'82minence, L. praeeminentia. See Preëminent.]

Defn: The quality or state of being preëminent; superiority in prominence or in excellence; distinction above others in quality, rank, etc.; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or notoriety in evil; as, preëminence in honor. The preëminence of Christianity to any other religious scheme. Addison. Painful preëminence! yourself to view Above life's weakness, and its comforts too. Pope. Beneath the forehead's walled preëminence. Lowell.

PREEMINENT Pre*ëm"i*nent, a. Etym: [L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F. pré\'82minent. See Pre-, and Eminent.]

Defn: Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities; as, preëminent in guilt. In goodness and in power preëminent. Milton.

PREEMINENTLY Pre*ëm"i*nent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a preëminent degree.

PREEMPLOY Pre`ëm*ploy, v. t.

Defn: To employ beforehand. "Preëmployed by him." Shak.

PREEMPT Pre*ëmpt", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Preëmpted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëmpting.] Etym: [See Preëmption.]

Defn: To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by preëmption.

PREEMPTION Pre*ëmp"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. pre- + emption: cf. F. préemption. See Redeem.]