Prej`u*di"cial (?), a. [L. praejudicialis belonging to a preceding
judgment: cf. F. prÈjudiciel.]
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.
Pre*knowl"edge (?), n. Prior knowledge.
Prel"a*cy (?), n.; pl. Prelacies (#). [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.
Pre"lal (?), a. [L. prelum a press.] Of or pertaining to printing;
typographical. [Obs.] Fuller.
Prel"ate (?; 48), n. [F. prÈlat, LL. praelatus, fr. L. praelatus, used
as p. p. of praeferre to prefer, but from a different root. See Elate.]
A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a bishop, having
authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary of the church.
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.