Pre`Îx*ist"ent (?), a. Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a
preÎxistent state. Pope.
Pre`Îx*ist"ent*ism (?), n. (Philos.) The theory of a preÎxistence of
souls before their association with human bodies. Emerson.
Pre`Îx*is`ti*ma"tion (?), n. Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.] Sir
T. Browne.
Pre*Îx`pec*ta"tion (?), n. Previous expectation.
Pref"ace (?; 48), n. [F. prÈface; cf. Sp. prefacio, prefacion, It.
prefazio, prefazione; all fr. L. praefatio, fr. praefari to speak or
say beforehand; prae before + fari, fatus, to speak. See Fate.] 1.
Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as
introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of
preliminary remarks.
This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
Shak.
Heaven's high behest no preface needs.
Milton.
2. (R. C. Ch.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.
Addis & Arnold.
Proper preface (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the
communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for
certain seasons.
Syn. -- Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.
Pref"ace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefacing.]
To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book
discourse.
Pref"ace, v. i. To make a preface. Jer. Taylor.
Pref"a*cer (?), n. The writer of a preface.
Pref`a*to"ri*al (?), a. Prefatory.
Pref"a*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In a prefatory manner; by way of preface.
Pref"a*to*ry (?), a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface;
introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.
That prefatory addition to the Creed.
Dryden.
Pre"fect (?), n. [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to
set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. prÈfet.] 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.
Pre`fec*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a prefect.
Pre"fect*ship (?), n. The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.
Pre"fec*ture (?; 277), n. [L. praefectura: cf. F. prÈfecture.] The
office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official
residence.
Pre*fec`un*da"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) A term collectively applied to
the changes or conditions preceding fecundation, especially to the
changes which the ovum undergoes before fecundation.
Pre`fe*cun"da*to*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to prefecundation.
Pre*fer" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preferred (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Preferring.] [F. prÈfÈrer, 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 CÊsar.
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.