P P (pe), (continued 17)

2. Used habitually; learned by practice.

PRACTICER Prac"ti*cer, n. Etym: [Often written practiser.]

1. One who practices, or puts in practice; one who customarily performs certain acts. South.

2. One who exercises a profession; a practitioner.

3. One who uses art or stratagem. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

PRACTICIAN Prac*ti"cian, n. Etym: [F. praticien, OF. also practicien.]

Defn: One who is acquainted with, or skilled in, anything by practice; a practitioner.

PRACTICK Prac"tick, n.

Defn: Practice. [Obs.] Chaucer.

PRACTICO Prac"ti*co, n.; pl. Practicos (#). [Sp., lit., experienced, skilled. Cf. Practical.]

Defn: A guide. [Cuba & Phil. Islands] D. C. Worcester.

PRACTISANT Prac"ti*sant, n.

Defn: An agent or confederate in treachery. [Obs.] Shak.

PRACTISE Prac"tise, v. t. & i.

Defn: See Practice.

Note: The analogy of the English language requires that the noun and verb which are pronounced alike should agree in spelling. Thus we have notice (n. & v.), noticed, noticing, noticer; poultice (n. & v.); apprentice (n. & v.); office (n. & v.), officer (n.); lattice (n.), latticed (a.); benefice (n.), beneficed (a.), etc. Cf. sacrifice (surmise (promise (compromise (advice (advise (device (devise (

PRACTISOUR Prac"ti*sour, n.

Defn: A practitioner. [Obs.]

PRACTITIONER Prac*ti"tion*er, n. Etym: [From Practician.]

1. One who is engaged in the actual use or exercise of any art or profession, particularly that of law or medicine. Crabbe.

2. One who does anything customarily or habitually.

3. A sly or artful person. Whitgift. General practitioner. See under General, 2.

PRACTIVE Prac"tive, a.

Defn: Doing; active. [Obs.] Sylvester. — Prac"tive*ly, adv. [Obs.] The preacher and the people both, Then practively did thrive. Warner.

PRAD Prad, n. Etym: [Cf. D. paard.]

Defn: A horse. [Colloq. Eng.]

PRAE- Præ-.

Defn: A prefix. See Pre-.

PRAECAVA Præ"ca`va, n. Etym: [NL. See Pre-, and 1st Cave.] (Anat.)

Defn: The superior vena cava. — Præ"ca`val, a. B. G. Wilder.

PRAECIPE Præc"i*pe, n. Etym: [L., imperative of praecipere to give rules or precepts. See Precept.] (Law) (a) A writ commanding something to be done, or requiring a reason for neglecting it. (b) A paper containing the particulars of a writ, lodged in the office out of which the writ is to be issued. Wharton.

PRAECOCES Præ"co*ces, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Precocious.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of birds including those whose young are able to run about when first hatched.

PRAECOCIAL Præ*co"cial, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Præcoces.

PRAECOGNITA Præ*cog"ni*ta, n. pl. Etym: [L. praecognitus, p. p. of praecognoscere to foreknow. See Pre-, and Cognition.]

Defn: This previously known, or which should be known in order to understand something else.

PRAECOMMISSURE Præ*com"mis*sure, n. Etym: [Pref. præ + commissure.] (Anat.)

Defn: A transverse commissure in the anterior part of the third ventricle of the brain; the anterior cerebral commissure.

PRAECORACOID Præ*cor"a*coid, n. (Anat.)

Defn: See Precoracoid.

PRAECORDIA Præ*cor"di*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. prae before + cor, cordis, the heart.] (Anat.)

Defn: The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.

PRAECORDIAL Præ*cor"di*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Same as Precordial.

PRAECORNU Præ*cor"nu, n.; pl. Præcornua. Etym: [NL. See Pre-, and Cornu.] (Anat.)

Defn: The anterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

PRAEDIAL Præ"di*al, a.

Defn: See Predial.

PRAEFLORATION Præ`flo*ra"tion, n.

Defn: Same as Prefloration. Gray.

PRAEFOLIATION Præ*fo`li*a"tion, n.

Defn: Same as Prefoliation. Gray.

PRAEMAXILLA Præ`max*il"la, n.

Defn: See Premaxilla.

PRAEMOLAR Præ*mo"lar, a.

Defn: See Premolar.

PRAEMORSE Præ*morse", a.

Defn: Same as Premorse.

PRAEMUNIRE Præm`u*ni"re, n. Etym: [Corrupted from L. praemonere to forewarn, cite. See Admonish.] (Eng. Law) (a) The offense of introducing foreign authority into England, the penalties for which were originally intended to depress the civil power of the pope in the kingdom. (b) The writ grounded on that offense. Wharton. (c) The penalty ascribed for the offense of præmunire. Wolsey incurred a præmunire, and forfeited his honor, estate, and life. South.

Note: The penalties of præmunire were subsequently applied to many other offenses; but prosecutions upon a præmunire are at this day unheard of in the English courts. Blackstone.

PRAEMUNIRE Præm`u*ni"re, v. t.

1. The subject to the penalties of præmunire. [Obs.] T. Ward.

PRAEMUNITORY Præ*mu"ni*to*ry, a.

Defn: See Premunitory.

PRAENARES Præ*na"res, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pre-, Nares.] (Anat.)

Defn: The anterior nares. See Nares. B. G. Wilder.

PRAENASAL Præ*na"sal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Same as Prenasal.

PRAENOMEN Præ*no"men, n.; pl. Prænomina. Etym: [L., fr. prae before + nomen name.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: The first name of a person, by which individuals of the same family were distinguished, answering to our Christian name, as Caius, Lucius, Marcus, etc.

PRAENOMINICAL Præ`no*min"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a prænomen. [Obs.] M. A. Lower.

PRAEOPERCULUM Præ`o*per"cu*lum, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)

Defn: Same as Preoperculum. — Præ`o*per"cu*lar, a.

PRAEORAL; PRAEPUBIS; PRAESCAPULA; PRAESCUTUM; PRAESTERNUM Præ*o"ral, n., Præ*pu"bis, n., Præ*scap"u*la, n., Præ*scu"tum, n., Præ*ster"num, n.

Defn: Same as Preoral, Prepubis, Prescapula, etc.

PRAETER- Præ"ter-.

Defn: A prefix. See Preter-.

PRAETERIST Præt"er*ist, n. (Theol.)

Defn: See Preterist.

PRAETERMIT Præ`ter*mit", v. t.

Defn: See Pretermit.

PRAETEXTA Præ*tex"ta, n.; pl. Prætextæ, E. Prætextas. Etym: [L. (sc. toga), fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, to fringe, border; prae before + texere to weave.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A white robe with a purple border, worn by a Roman boy before he was entitled to wear the toga virilis, or until about the completion of his fourteenth year, and by girls until their marriage. It was also worn by magistrates and priests.

PRAETOR Præ"tor, n.

Defn: See Pretor.

PRAETORES Præ*to"res, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pretor.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of butterflies including the satyrs.

PRAETORIAN Præ*to"ri*an, a.

Defn: See Pretorian.

PRAETORIUM Præ*to"ri*um, n.

Defn: See Pretorium.

PRAEZYGAPOPHYSIS Præ*zyg`a*poph"y*sis, n. (Anat.)

Defn: Same as Prezygapophysis.

PRAGMATIC; PRAGMATICAL Prag*mat"ic, Prag*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. pragmaticus busy, active, skilled in business, especially in law and state affairs, systematic, Gr. pragmatique. See Practical.]

1. Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature of business; practical; material; businesslike in habit or manner. The next day . . . I began to be very pragmatical. Evelyn. We can not always be contemplative, diligent, or pragmatical, abroad; but have need of some delightful intermissions. Milton. Low, pragmatical, earthly views of the gospel. Hare.

2. Busy; specifically, busy in an objectionable way; officious; fussy and positive; meddlesome. "Pragmatical officers of justice." Sir W. Scott. The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took upon him the government of my whole family. Arbuthnot.

3. Philosophical; dealing with causes, reasons, and effects, rather than with details and circumstances; — said of literature. "Pragmatic history." Sir W. Hamilton. "Pragmatic poetry." M. Arnold. Pragmatic sanction, a solemn ordinance or decree issued by the head or legislature of a state upon weighty matters; — a term derived from the Byzantine empire. In European history, two decrees under this name are particularly celebrated. One of these, issued by Charles VII. of France, A. D. 1438, was the foundation of the liberties of the Gallican church; the other, issued by Charles VI. of Germany, A. D. 1724, settled his hereditary dominions on his eldest daughter, the Archduchess Maria Theresa.

PRAGMATIC Prag*mat"ic, n.

1. One skilled in affairs. My attorney and solicitor too; a fine pragmatic. B. Jonson.

2. A solemn public ordinance or decree. A royal pragmatic was accordingly passed. Prescott.

PRAGMATICALLY Prag*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a pragmatical manner.

PRAGMATICALNESS Prag*mat"ic*al*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being pragmatical.

PRAGMATISM Prag"ma*tism, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method. The narration of this apparently trifling circumstance belongs to the pragmatism of the history. A. Murphy.

PRAGMATIST Prag"ma*tist, n.

Defn: One who is pragmatic.

PRAGMATIZE Prag"ma*tize, v. t.

Defn: To consider, represent, or embody (something unreal) as fact; to materialize. [R.] "A pragmatized metaphor." Tylor.

PRAIRIAL Prai`ri`al", n. Etym: [F., fr. prairie meadow.]

Defn: The ninth month of the French Republican calendar, which dated from September 22, 1792. It began May, 20, and ended June 18. See Vendemiaire.

PRAIRIE Prai"rie, n. Etym: [F., an extensive meadow, OF. praerie, LL. prataria, fr. L. pratum a meadow.]

1. An extensive tract of level or rolling land, destitute of trees, covered with coarse grass, and usually characterized by a deep, fertile soil. They abound throughout the Mississippi valley, between the Alleghanies and the Rocky mountains. From the forests and the prairies, From the great lakes of the northland. Longfellow.

2. A meadow or tract of grass; especially, a so called natural meadow. Prairie chicken (Zoöl.), any American grouse of the genus Tympanuchus, especially T. Americanus (formerly T. cupido), which inhabits the prairies of the central United States. Applied also to the sharp-tailed grouse. — Prairie clover (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus Petalostemon, having small rosy or white flowers in dense terminal heads or spikes. Several species occur in the prairies of the United States. — Prairie dock (Bot.), a coarse composite plant (Silphium terebinthaceum) with large rough leaves and yellow flowers, found in the Western prairies. — Prairie dog (Zoöl.), a small American rodent (Cynomys Ludovicianus) allied to the marmots. It inhabits the plains west of the Mississippi. The prairie dogs burrow in the ground in large warrens, and have a sharp bark like that of a dog. Called also prairie marmot. — Prairie grouse. Same as Prairie chicken, above. — Prairie hare (Zoöl.), a large long-eared Western hare (Lepus campestris). See Jack rabbit, under 2d Jack. — Prairie hawk, Prairie falcon (Zoöl.), a falcon of Western North America (Falco Mexicanus). The upper parts are brown. The tail has transverse bands of white; the under parts, longitudinal streaks and spots of brown. — Prairie hen. (Zoöl.) Same as Prairie chicken, above. — Prairie itch (Med.), an affection of the skin attended with intense itching, which is observed in the Northern and Western United States; — also called swamp itch, winter itch. — Prairie marmot. (Zoöl.) Same as Prairie dog, above. — Prairie mole (Zoöl.), a large American mole (Scalops argentatus), native of the Western prairies. — Prairie pigeon, plover, or snipe (Zoöl.), the upland plover. See Plover, n., 2. — Prairie rattlesnake (Zoöl.), the massasauga. — Prairie snake (Zoöl.), a large harmless American snake (Masticophis flavigularis). It is pale yellow, tinged with brown above. — Prairie squirrel (Zoöl.), any American ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus, inhabiting prairies; — called also gopher. — Prairie turnip (Bot.), the edible turnip-shaped farinaceous root of a leguminous plant (Psoralea esculenta) of the Upper Missouri region; also, the plant itself. Called also pomme blanche, and pomme de prairie. — Prairie warbler (Zoöl.), a bright-colored American warbler (Dendroica discolor). The back is olive yellow, with a group of reddish spots in the middle; the under parts and the parts around the eyes are bright yellow; the sides of the throat and spots along the sides, black; three outer tail feathers partly white. — Prairie wolf. (Zoöl.) See Coyote.

PRAIRIE STATE Prai"rie State.

Defn: Illinois; — a nickname.

PRAISABLE Prais"a*ble, a.

Defn: Fit to be praised; praise-worthy; laudable; commendable. Wyclif (2 Tim. ii. 15).

PRAISABLY Prais"a*bly, adv.

Defn: In a praisable manner.

PRAISE Praise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Praised; p. pr. & vb. n. Praising.] Etym: [OE. preisen, OF. preisier, prisier, F. priser, L. pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price, n., and cf. Appreciate, Praise, n., Prize, v.]

1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud; — applied to a person or his acts. "I praise well thy wit." Chaucer. Let her own works praise her in the gates. Prov. xxxi. 31. We praise not Hector, though his name, we know, Is great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe. Dryden.

2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of; — applied especially to the Divine Being. Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts! Ps. cxlviii. 2.

3. To value; to appraise. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

Syn. — To commend; laud; eulogize; celebrate; glorify; magnify. — To Praise, Applaud, Extol. To praise is to set at high price; to applaud is to greet with clapping; to extol is to bear aloft, to exalt. We may praise in the exercise of calm judgment; we usually applaud from impulse, and on account of some specific act; we extol under the influence of high admiration, and usually in strong, if not extravagant, language.

PRAISE Praise, n. Etym: [OE. preis, OF. preis price, worth, value, estimation. See Praise, v., Price.]

1. Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation. There are men who always confound the praise of goodness with the practice. Rambler.

Note: Praise may be expressed by an individual, and thus differs from fame, renown, and celebrity, which are always the expression of the approbation of numbers, or public commendation.

2. Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship; as, a service of praise.

3. The object, ground, or reason of praise. He is thy praise, and he is thy God. Deut. x.

Syn. — Encomium; honor; eulogy; panegyric; plaudit; applause; acclaim; eclat; commendation; laudation.

PRAISEFUL Praise"ful, a.

Defn: Praiseworthy. [Obs.]

PRAISEFUL Praise"ful, a.

Defn: Praiseworthy. [Obs.]

PRAISELESS Praise"less, a.

Defn: Without praise or approbation.

PRAISE-MEETING Praise"-meet`*ing, n.

Defn: A religious service mainly in song. [Local, U. S.]

PRAISEMENT Praise"ment, n.

Defn: Appraisement. [Obs.]

PRAISER Prais"er, n.

1. One who praises. "Praisers of men." Sir P. Sidney.

2. An appraiser; a valuator. [Obs.] Sir T. North.

PRAISEWORTHILY Praise"wor`thi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a praiseworthy manner. Spenser.

PRAISEWORTHINESS Praise"wor`thi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being praiseworthy.

PRAISEWORTHY Praise"wor`thy, a.

Defn: Worthy of praise or applause; commendable; as, praiseworthy action; he was praiseworthy. Arbuthnot.

PRAKRIT Pra"krit, n. Etym: [Skr. prakrsta original, natural, usual, common, vulgar.]

Defn: Any one of the popular dialects descended from, or akin to, Sanskrit; — in distinction from the Sanskrit, which was used as a literary and learned language when no longer spoken by the people. Pali is one of the Prakrit dialects.

PRAKRITIC Pra*krit"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to Prakrit.

PRALINE Pra"line (prä"len), n. [F.]

Defn: A confection made of nut kernels, usually of almonds, roasted in boiling sugar until brown and crisp.

Bonbons, pralines, . . . saccharine, crystalline substances of all kinds and colors. Du Maurier.

PRALLTRILLER Prall"tril`ler, n.; G. pl. -triller. [G.] (Music)

Defn: A melodic embellishment consisting of the quick alternation of a principal tone with an auxiliary tone above it, usually the next of the scale; —called also the inverted mordente.

PRAM; PRAME Pram, Prame, n. (Naut.)

Defn: See Praam.

PRANCE Prance, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pranced; p. pr. & vb. n. Prancing.] Etym: [OE. prauncen; probably akin to prank, v. t. See Prank.]

1. To spring or bound, as a horse in high mettle. Now rule thy prancing steed. Gay.

2. To ride on a prancing horse; to ride in an ostentatious manner. The insulting tyrant prancing o'er the field. Addison.

3. To walk or strut about in a pompous, showy manner, or with warlike parade. Swift.

PRANCER Pran"cer, n.

Defn: A horse which prances. Then came the captain . . . upon a brave prancer. Evelyn.

PRANDIAL Pran"di*al, a. Etym: [L. prandium a repast.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a repast, especially to dinner.

PRANGOS Pran"gos, n. Etym: [From the native name in Afghanistan.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of umbelliferous plants, one species of which (P. pabularia), found in Thibet, Cashmere, Afghanistan, etc., has been used as fodder for cattle. It has decompound leaves with very long narrow divisions, and a highly fragrant smell resembling that of new clover hay.

PRANK Prank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pranked; p. pr. & vb. n. Pranking.] Etym: [Cf. E. prink, also G. prangen, prunken, to shine, to make a show, Dan. prange, prunke, Sw. prunka, D. pronken.]

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.]

Defn: 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.

PREEMPTIONER Pre*ëmp"tion*er, n.

Defn: One who holds a prior to purchase certain public land. Abbott.

PREEMPTIVE Pre*ëmp"tive, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to preëmption; having power to preëmpt; preëmpting.

PREEMPTOR Pre*ëmpt"or, n. Etym: [Cf. L. praeemptor.]

Defn: One who preëmpts; esp., one who preëmpts public land.

PREEMPTORY Pre*ëmpt"o*ry, a.

Defn: Pertaining to preëmption.

PREEN Preen, n. Etym: [AS. preón a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prjonn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.]

Defn: A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.

PREEN Preen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened; p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] Etym: [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.

PREENGAGE Pre`ën*gage", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preëngaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëngaging.]

Defn: To engage by previous contract; to bind or attach previously; to preoccupy. But he was preëngaged by former ties. Dryden.

PREENGAGEMENT Pre`ën*gage"ment, n.

Defn: Prior engagement, obligation, or attachment, as by contract, promise, or affection. My preëngagements to other themes were not unknown to those for whom I was to write. Boyle.

PREERECT Pre`ë*rect", v. t.

Defn: To erect beforehand.

PREES Prees, n.

Defn: Press; throng. [Obs.] Chaucer.

PREESTABLISH Pre`ës*tab"lish, v. t.

Defn: To establish beforehand.

PREESTABLISHMENT Pre`ës*tab"lish*ment, n.

Defn: Settlement beforehand.

PREETERNITY Pre`ë*ter"ni*ty, n.

Defn: Infinite previous duration. [R.] "The world's preëternity." Cudworth.

PREEXAMINATION Pre`ëx*am`i*na"tion, n.

Defn: Previous examination.

PREEXAMINE Pre`ëx*am"ine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preëxamined; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxamining.]

Defn: To examine beforehand.

PREEXIST Pre`ëx*ist", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preëxisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxisting.]

Defn: To exist previously; to exist before something else.

PREEXISTENCE Pre`ëx*ist"ence, n.

1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something else. Wisdom declares her antiquity and preëxistence 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.

PREEXISTENCY Pre`ëx*ist"en*cy, n.

Defn: Preëxistence. [Obs.]

PREEXISTENT Pre`ëx*ist"ent, a.

Defn: Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a preëxistent state. Pope.

PREEXISTENTISM Pre`ëx*ist"ent*ism, n. (Philos.)

Defn: The theory of a preëxistence of souls before their association with human bodies. Emerson.

PREEXISTIMATION Pre`ëx*is`ti*ma"tion, n.

Defn: Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

PREEXPECTATION Pre*ëx`pec*ta"tion, n.

Defn: Previous expectation.

PREFACE Pref"ace (; 48), n. Etym: [F. préface; 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.)

Defn: 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 Pref"ace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefacing.]

Defn: To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse.

PREFACE Pref"ace, v. i.

Defn: To make a preface. Jer. Taylor.

PREFACER Pref"a*cer, n.

Defn: The writer of a preface.

PREFATORIAL Pref`a*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Prefatory.

PREFATORILY Pref"a*to*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a prefatory manner; by way of preface.

PREFATORY Pref"a*to*ry, a.

Defn: 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 Pre"fect, n. Etym: [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. préfet.]

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 Pre`fec*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a prefect.

PREFECTSHIP Pre"fect*ship, n.

Defn: The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.

PREFECTURE Pre"fec*ture, n. Etym: [L. praefectura: cf. F. préfecture.]

Defn: The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.

PREFECUNDATION Pre*fec`un*da"tion, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: A term collectively applied to the changes or conditions preceding fecundation, especially to the changes which the ovum undergoes before fecundation.

PREFECUNDATORY Pre`fe*cun"da*to*ry, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to prefecundation.

PREFER Pre*fer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring.] Etym: [F. préférer, 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 Cæsar. 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 Pref`er*a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness. J. S. Mill.

PREFERABLE Pref"er*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. préférable.]

Defn: Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme. Addison.

PREFERABLENESS Pref"er*a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being preferable.

PREFERABLY Pref"er*a*bly, adv.

Defn: In preference; by choice. To choose Plautus preferably to Terence. Dennis.

PREFERENCE Pref"er*ence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. préférence.]

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 Pref`er*en"tial, a.

Defn: Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.

PREFERENTIAL VOTING Preferential voting. (Political Science)

Defn: A system of voting, as at primaries, in which the voters are allowed to indicate on their ballots their preference (usually their first and second choices) between two or more candidates for an office, so that if no candidate receives a majority of first choices the one receiving the greatest number of first and second choices together in nominated or elected.

PREFERMENT 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 Pre*fer"rer, n.

Defn: One who prefers.

PREFIDENCE Pref"i*dence, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being prefident. [Obs.] Baxter.

PREFIDENT Pref"i*dent, a. Etym: [Cf. L. praefidens overconfident. See Pre-, and Confident.]

Defn: Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident. [Obs.] Baxter.

PREFIGURATE Pre*fig"u*rate, v. t. Etym: [L. praefiguratus, p. p. See Prefigure.]

Defn: To prefigure. [R.] Grafton.

PREFIGURATION Pre*fig`u*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. praefiguratio.]

Defn: The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured. A variety of prophecies and prefigurations. Norris.

PREFIGURATIVE Pre*fig"ur*a*tive, a.

Defn: Showing by prefiguration. "The prefigurative atonement." Bp. Horne.

PREFIGURE Pre*fig"ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefigured; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefiguring.] Etym: [F. préfigurer, or L. praefigurare, praefiguratum; prae before + figurare to figure. See Figure, and cf. Prefigurate.]

Defn: To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and similitudes; to foreshadow. "Whom all the various types prefigured." South.

PREFIGUREMENT Pre*fig"ure*ment, n.

Defn: The act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is prefigured. Carlyle.

PREFINE Pre*fine", v. t. Etym: [L. praefinire; prae before + finire to limit, determine: cf. F. préfiner.]

Defn: To limit beforehand. [Obs.] Knolles.

PREFINITE Pre*fi"nite, a. Etym: [L. praefinitus, p. p.]

Defn: Prearranged. [Obs.] " Set and prefinite time." Holland.

PREFINITION Pref`i*ni"tion, n. Etym: [L. praefinitio.]

Defn: Previous limitation. [Obs.] Fotherby.

PREFIX Pre*fix", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefixed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefixing.] Etym: [L. praefixus, p. p. of praefigere to fix or fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. préfix fixed beforehand, determined, préfixer 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 Pre"fix, n. Etym: [Cf. F. préfixe.]

Defn: 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 prefix, con- in conjure.

PREFIXION Pre*fix"ion, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. prefixion.]

Defn: The act of prefixing. [R.] Bailey.

PREFLORATION Pre`flo*ra"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. pre- + L. flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.)

Defn: Æstivation.

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

Defn: Vernation.

PREFORM Pre*form" (, v. t. Etym: [L. praeformare. See Pre-, and Form.]

Defn: To form beforehand, or for special ends. "Their natures and preformed faculties. " Shak.

PREFORMATION Pre`for*ma"tion, n. (Biol.)

Defn: An old theory of the preëxistence of germs. Cf. Emboîtement.

PREFORMATIVE Pre*form"a*tive, n.

Defn: A formative letter at the beginning of a word. M. Stuart.

PREFRONTAL Pre*fron"tal, a. (Anat. & Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: A prefrontal bone or scale.

PREFULGENCY Pre*ful"gen*cy, n. Etym: [L. praefulgens, p. pr. of praefulgere to shine forth. See Pre-, and Fulgent.]

Defn: Superior brightness or effulgency. [R.] Barrow.

PREGAGE Pre*gage" (, v. t.

Defn: To preëngage. [Obs.] Fuller.

PREGLACIAL Pre*gla"cial, a. (Geol.)

Defn: Prior to the glacial or drift period.

PREGNABLE Preg"na*ble, a, Etym: [F. prenable. See Impregnable.]

Defn: Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort. [R.] Cotgrave.

PREGNANCE Preg"nance, n.

Defn: Pregnancy. [Obs.] Milton.

PREGNANCY 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 Preg"nant, a. Etym: [L. praegnans, -antis; prae before + genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. prégnant. 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." 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 Preg"nant, n.

Defn: A pregnant woman. [R.] Dunglison.

PREGNANT Preg"nant, a. Etym: [F. prenant taking. Cf. Pregnable.]

Defn: Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open; prompt. [Obs.] " Pregnant to good pity." Shak.

PREGNANTLY Preg"nant*ly, adv.

Defn: In a pregnant manner; fruitfully; significantly.

PREGNANTLY Preg"nant*ly, adv.

Defn: Unresistingly; openly; hence, clearly; evidently. [Obs.] Shak.

PREGRAVATE Pre"gra*vate, v. t. Etym: [L. praegravatus, p. p. of praegravare to be heavy upon, fr. praegravis very heavy.]

Defn: To bear down; to depress. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

PREGRAVITATE Pre*grav"i*tate, v. i.

Defn: To descend by gravity; to sink. [R.] Boyle.

PREGUSTANT Pre*gus"tant, a. Etym: [L. praegustans, p. pr. of praegustare to taste beforehand; prae before + gustare to taste.]

Defn: Tasting beforehand; having a foretaste. [R.] Ed. Rev.

PREGUSTATION Pre`gus*ta"tion, n.

Defn: The act of tasting beforehand; foretaste. [R.] Dr. Walker (1678).

PREHALLUX Pre*hal"lux, n. Etym: [NL. See Pre-, and Hallux.] (Anat.)

Defn: An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial side of the hallux.

PREHEND Pre*hend" (, v. t. Etym: [L. prehendere. See Prehensile.]

Defn: To lay hold of; to seize. [Obs.] Middleton.

PREHENSI-BLE Pre*hen"si-ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. préhensible.]

Defn: Capable of being seized.

PREHENSILE Pre*hen"sile, a. Etym: [L. prehensus, p. p. of prehendere to lay hold of, seize; pre- (equiv. to prae before) + hendere (in comp.), akin to E. get: cf. F. préhensile. See Get, and cf. Prison, Prize, n.]

Defn: Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the prehensile tail of a monkey.

PREHENSION Pre*hen"sion, n. Etym: [L. prehensio; cf. F. préhension. See Prehensile.]

Defn: The act of taking hold, seizing, or grasping, as with the hand or other member.

PREHENSORY Pre*hen"so*ry, a.

Defn: Adapted to seize or grasp; prehensile.

PREHISTORIC Pre`his*tor"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a period before written history begins; as, the prehistoric ages; prehistoric man.

PREHNITE Prehn"ite, n. Etym: [So called from the German Colonel Prehn, who first found it.] (Min.)

Defn: A pale green mineral occurring in crystalline aggregates having a botryoidal or mammillary structure, and rarely in distinct crystals. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime.

PREHNITIC Prehn*it"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a tetrabasic acid of benzene obtained as a white crystalline substance; — probably so called from the resemblance of the wartlike crystals to the mammillæ on the surface of prehnite.

PREIGNITION Pre`ig*ni"tion, n. (Engin.)

Defn: Ignition in an internal-combustion engine while the inlet valve is open or before compression is completed.

PREINDESIGNATE Pre`in*des"ig*nate, a. (Logic.)

Defn: Having no sign expressive of quantity; indefinite. See Predesignate.

PREINDISPOSE Pre*in`dis*pose" ( v. t.

Defn: To render indisposed beforehand. Milman.

PREINSTRUCT Pre`in*struct" ( v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preinstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Preinstructing.]

Defn: To instruct previously or beforehand. Dr. H. More.

PREINTIMATION Pre*in`ti*ma"tion n.

Defn: Previous intimation; a suggestion beforehand. T. Scott.

PREJUDGE Pre*judge" ( v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudged (; p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudging.] Etym: [Pref. pre + judge: cf. F. préjuger. Cf. Prejudicate, Prejudice.]

Defn: To judge before hearing, or before full and sufficient examination; to decide or sentence by anticipation; to condemn beforehand. The committee of council hath prejudged the whole case, by calling the united sense of both houses of Parliament" a universal clamor." Swift.

PREJUDGMENT Pre*judg"ment, n.

Defn: The act of prejudging; decision before sufficient examination.

PREJUDICACY Pre*ju"di*ca*cy, n.

Defn: Prejudice; prepossession. [Obs.] Sir. H. Blount.

PREJUDICAL Pre*ju"di*cal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the determination of some matter not previously decided; as, a prejudical inquiry or action at law.

PREJUDICANT Pre*ju"di*cant, a. Etym: [L. praejudicans, p. pr.]

Defn: Influenced by prejudice; biased. [R.] " With not too hasty and prejudicant ears." Milton.

PREJUDICATE Pre*ju"di*cate, a. Etym: [L. praejudicatus, p. p. of praejudicare to prejudge; prae before + judicare to judge. See Judge.]

1. Formed before due examination. "Ignorance and prejudicate opinions." Jer. Taylor.

2. Biased by opinions formed prematurely; prejudiced. "Prejudicate readers." Sir T. Browne.

PREJUDICATE Pre*ju"di*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicating.] Etym: [Cf. Prejudge.]

Defn: To determine beforehand, especially to disadvantage; to prejudge. Our dearest friend Prejudicates the business. Shak.

PREJUDICATE Pre*ju"di*cate, v. i.

Defn: To prejudge. Sir P. Sidney.

PREJUDICATELY Pre*ju"di*cate*ly, adv.

Defn: With prejudice.

PREJUDICATION Pre*ju`di*ca"tion, n.

1. The act of prejudicating, or of judging without due examination of facts and evidence; prejudgment.

2. (Rom. Law) (a) A preliminary inquiry and determination about something which belongs to a matter in dispute. (b) A previous treatment and decision of a point; a precedent.

PREJUDICATIVE Pre*ju"di*ca*tive, a.

Defn: Forming a judgment without due examination; prejudging. Dr. H. More.

PREJUDICE Prej"u*dice n. Etym: [F. préjudice, L. praejudicium; prae before + judicium judgment. See Prejudicate, Judicial.]

1. Foresight. [Obs.] Naught might hinder his quick prejudize. Spenser.

2. An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge. Though often misled by prejudice and passion, he was emphatically an honest man. Macaulay.

3. (Law)

Defn: A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.

4. Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment. Locke. England and France might, through their amity, Breed him some prejudice. Shak.

Syn. — Prejudgment; prepossession; bias; harm; hurt; damage; detriment; mischief; disadvantage.

PREJUDICE Prej"u*dice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudiced; p. pr. & vb. n. Prejudicing.] Etym: [Cf. F. préjudicier. See Prejudice, n.]

1. To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman. Suffer not any beloved study to prejudice your mind so far as to despise all other learning. I. Watts

2. To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause. Seek how may prejudice the foe. Shak

PREJUDICIAL Prej`u*di"cial a. Etym: [L. praejudicialis belonging to a preceding judgment: cf. F. préjudiciel.]

1. Biased, possessed, or blinded by prejudices; as, to look with a prejudicial eye. [Obs.] Holyday.

2. Tending to obstruct or impair; hurtful; injurious; disadvantageous; detrimental. Hooker. His going away . . . was most prejudicial and most ruinous to the king's affairs. Clarendon. — Prej`u*di"cial*ly, adv. — Prej`u*di"cial*ness, n.

PREKNOWLEDGE Pre*knowl"edge, n.

Defn: Prior knowledge.

PRELACY Prel"a*cy n.; pl. Prelacies. Etym: [LL. praelatia. See Prelate; cf. Prelaty.]

1. The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates. Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices. Ayliffe.

2. The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries. "Divers of the reverend prelacy, and other most judicious men." Hooker.

PRELAL Pre"lal, a. Etym: [L. prelum a press.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to printing; typographical. [Obs.] Fuller.

PRELATE Prel"ate (; 48), n. Etym: [F. prélat, LL. praelatus, fr. L. praelatus, used as p. p. of praeferre to prefer, but from a different root. See Elate.]

Defn: A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a bishop, having authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary of the church.

Note: This word and the words derived from it are often used invidiously, in English ecclesiastical history, by dissenters, respecting the Established Church system. Hear him but reason in divinity, . . . You would desire the king were made a prelate. Shak.

PRELATE Prel"ate, v. i.

Defn: To act as a prelate. [Obs.] Right prelating is busy laboring, and not lording. Latimer.

PRELATEITY Prel`a*te"i*ty, n.

Defn: Prelacy. [Obs.] Milton.

PRELATESHIP Prel"ate*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a prelate. Harmar.

PRELATESS Prel"a*tess, n.

Defn: A woman who is a prelate; the wife of a prelate. Milton.

PRELATIAL Pre*la"tial, a.

Defn: Prelatical. Beaconsfield.

PRELATIC; PRELATICAL Pre*lat"ic, Pre*lat"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to prelates or prelacy; as, prelatical authority. Macaulay.

PRELATICALLY Pre*lat"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a prelatical manner; with reference to prelates. Milton. The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Æneis.

PRELATION Pre*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. praelatio: cf. F. prélation. See Prelate, and cf. Prefer.]

Defn: The setting of one above another; preference. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

PRELATISM Prel"a*tism, n.

Defn: Prelacy; episcopacy.

PRELATIST Prel"a*tist n.

Defn: One who supports of advocates prelacy, or the government of the church by prelates; hence, a high-churchman. Hume. I am an Episcopalian, but not a prelatist. T. Scott.

PRELATIZE Prel"a*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prelatized; p. pr. & vb. n. Prelatizing.]

Defn: To bring under the influence of prelacy. Palfrey.

PRELATIZE Prel"a*tize, v. i.

Defn: To uphold or encourage prelacy; to exercise prelatical functions. An episcopacy that began then to prelatize. Milton.

PRELATRY Prel"a*try, n.

Defn: Prelaty; prelacy. [Obs.]

PRELATURE; PRELATURESHIP Prel"a*ture, Prel"a*ture*ship, n. Etym: [F. prélature, or LL. praelatura.]

Defn: The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. Milman.

PRELATY Prel"a*ty, n.

Defn: Prelacy. [Obs.] Milton.

PRELECT Pre*lect" v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prelected; p. pr. & vb. n. Prelecting.] Etym: [L. praelectus, p. p. of praelegere to read before. See Pre-, and Lection.]

Defn: To read publicly, as a lecture or discourse.

PRELECT Pre*lect", v. i.

Defn: To discourse publicly; to lecture. Spitting . . . was publicly prelected upon. De. Quincey. To prelect upon the military art. Bp. Horsley.

PRELECTION Pre*lec"tion, n. Etym: [L. praelectio.]

Defn: A lecture or discourse read in public or to a select company. "The prelections of Faber." Sir M. Hale.

PRELECTOR Pre*lec"tor, n. Etym: [L. praelector.]

Defn: A reader of lectures or discourses; a lecturer. Sheldon.

PRELIBATION Pre`li*ba"tion, n. Etym: [L. praelibatio, fr. praelibare to taste beforehand: cf. F. prelibation.]

1. A. tasting beforehand, or by anticipation; a foretaste; as, a prelibation of heavenly bliss.

2. A pouring out, or libation, before tasting.

PRELIMINARILY Pre*lim"i*na*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a preliminary manner.

PRELIMINARY Pre*lim"i*na*ry, a. Etym: [Pref. pre + L. liminaris belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold, entrance: cf. F. préliminaire. Cf. Limit.]

Defn: Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty; preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.

Syn. — Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.

PRELIMINARY Pre*lim"i*na*ry, n.; pl. Preliminaries (.

Defn: That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.

Syn. — Introduction; preface; prelude.

PRELIMIT Pre*lim"it, v. t.

Defn: To limit previously. [R.]

PRELOOK Pre*look", v. i.

Defn: To look forward. [Obs.] Surrey.

PRELUDE Pre"lude, n. Etym: [F. prélude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See Prelude, v. t.]

Defn: An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; — with recent composers often synonymous with overture. The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Ænis Addison. The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact. Whewell.

Syn. — Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor.

PRELUDE Pre*lude", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.] Etym: [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. préluder. See Ludicrous.]

Defn: To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude. The musicians preluded on their instruments. Sir. W. Scott. We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point. Jeffrey.

PRELUDE Pre*lude", v. t.

1. To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air.

2. To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory. [Music] preluding some great tragedy. Longfellow

PRELUDER Pre*lud"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, preludes; one who plays a prelude. Mason.

PRELUDIAL Pre*lud"i*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude; introductory. [R.]

PRELUDIOUS Pre*lud"i*ous a.

Defn: Preludial. [R.] Dr. H. More.

PRELUMBAR Pre*lum"bar, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Situated immediately in front of the loins;- applied to the dorsal part of the abdomen.

PRELUSIVE Pre*lu"sive, a. Etym: [See Prelude.]

Defn: Of the nature of a prelude; introductory; indicating that something of a like kind is to follow. "Prelusive drops." Thomson. — Pre*lu"sive*ly, adv.

PRELUSORILY Pre*lu"so*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a prelusory way.

PRELUSORY Pre*lu"so*ry, a.

Defn: Introductory; prelusive. Bacon.

PREMATURE Pre`ma*ture", a. Etym: [L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature.]

1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.

2. Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.