PRECISPre`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.
PRECISIANPre*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.
PRECISIANISMPre*ci"sian*ism, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a precisian. Milton.
PRECISIANISTPre*ci"sian*ist, n.
Defn: A precisian.
PRECISIONPre*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.
PRECISIVEPre*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.
PRECLUDEPre*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.
PRECLUSIONPre*clu"sion, n. Etym: [L. praeclusio. See Preclude.]
Defn: The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.
PRECLUSIVEPre*clu"sive, a.
Defn: Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering.— Pre*clu"sive*ly, adv.
PRECOCEPre*coce", a. Etym: [F. précoce.]
Defn: Precocious. [Obs.]
PRECOCESPre"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.
PRECOCIOUSLYPre*co"cious*ly, adv.
Defn: In a precocious manner.
PRECOCIOUSNESS; PRECOCITYPre*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.
PRECOETANEANPre*co`e*ta"ne*an, n.
Defn: One contemporary with, but older than, another. [Obs.] Fuller.
PRECOGITATEPre*cog"i*tate, v. t. Etym: [L. praecogitatus, p. p. of praecogitare.See Pre-, and Cogitate.]
Defn: To cogitate beforehand. [R.] Sherwood.
PRECOGITATIONPre*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.
PRECOGNIZABLEPre*cog"ni*za*ble, a.
Defn: Cognizable beforehand.
PRECOGNOSCEPre*cog"nosce, v. t. Etym: [L. praecognoscere to foreknow.] (ScotsLaw)
Defn: To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence.A committee of nine precognoscing the chances. Masson.
PRECOLLECTIONPre`col*lec"tion, n.
Defn: A collection previously made. [R.]
PRECOMPOSEPre`com*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precomposed; p. pr. & vb. n.Precomposing.]
Defn: To compose beforehand. Johnson.
PRECONCEITPre`con*ceit", n.
Defn: An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception.Hooker.
PRECONCEIVEPre`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.
PRECONCEPTIONPre`con*cep"tion, n.
Defn: The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously formed.
PRECONCERTPre`con*cert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconcerted; p. pr. & vb. n.Preconcerting.]
Defn: To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement.
PRECONCERTPre*con"cert, n.
Defn: Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous agreement.
PRECONCERTEDPre`con*cert"ed, a.
Defn: Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand.— Pre`con*cert"ed*ly, adv.— Pre`con*cert"ed*ness, n.
PRECONCERTIONPre`con*cer"tion, n.
Defn: The act of preconcerting; preconcert. Dr. T. Dwight.
PRECONDEMNPre`con*demn`, v. t.
Defn: To condemn beforehand.— Pre*con`dem*na"tion, n.
PRECONDITIONPre`con*di"tion, n.
Defn: A previous or antecedent condition; a preliminary condition.
PRECONFORMPre`con*form", v. t. & i.
Defn: To conform by way anticipation. De Quincey.
PRECONFORMITYPre`con*form"i*ty, n.
Defn: Anticipative or antecedent conformity. Coleridge.
PRECONIZATEPre*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.
PRECONIZEPre"con*ize, v. t. (Eccl.)
Defn: To approve by preconization.
PRECONQUERPre*con"quer, v. t.
Defn: To conquer in anticipation. [R.] Fuller.
PRECONSCIOUSPre*con""scious, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a state before consciousness.
PRECONSENTPre`con*sent", n.
Defn: A previous consent.
PRECONSIGNPre`con*sign", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preconsigned; p. pr. & vb. n.Preconsigning.]
Defn: To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.
PRECONSOLIDATEDPre`con*sol"i*da`ted, a.
Defn: Consolidated beforehand.
PRECONSTITUTEPre*con"sti*tute, v. t.
Defn: To constitute or establish beforehand.
PRECONTRACTPre`con*tract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Precontracted; p. pr. & vb. n.Precontracting.]
Defn: To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.
PRECONTRACTPre`con*tract", v. i.
Defn: To make a previous contract or agreement. Ayliffe.
PRECONTRACTPre*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.
PRECONTRIVEPre`con*trive", v. t. & i.
Defn: To contrive or plan beforehand.
PRECORACOIDPre*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.
PRECRURALPre*cru"ral, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse.
PRECURRERPre*cur"rer, n.
Defn: A precursor. [Obs.] Shak.
PRECURSEPre*curse", n. Etym: [L. praecursus.]
Defn: A forerunning. [Obs.] Shak.
PRECURSIVEPre*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.
PRECURSORSHIPPre*cur"sor*ship, n.
Defn: The position or condition of a precursor. Ruskin.
PRECURSORYPre*cur"so*ry, a. Etym: [L. praecursorius.]
Defn: Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever.
PRECURSORYPre*cur"so*ry, n.
Defn: An introduction. [Obs.]
PREDACEANPre*da"cean, n. Etym: [L. praeda prey.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A carnivorous animal. Kirby.
PREDACEOUSPre*da"ceous, a. Etym: [L. praeda prey. See Prey.]
Defn: Living by prey; predatory. Derham.
PREDALPre"dal, a. Etym: [L. praeda prey.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to prey; plundering; predatory. [R.] Boyse.
PREDATEPre*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.
PREDATIONPre*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. praedatio, fr. praedari to plunder.]
Defn: The act of pillaging. E. Hall.
PREDATORILYPred"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.
PREDEPrede, v. i. Etym: [L. praedari. See Prey.]
Defn: To prey; to plunder. [Obs.] Holinshed.
PREDEPrede, n.
Defn: Prey; plunder; booty. [Obs.] Holinshed.
PREDECAYPre"de*cay`, n.
Defn: Premature decay.
PREDECEASEPre`de*cease, v. t.
Defn: To die sooner than. "If children predecease progenitors." Shak.
PREDECEASEPre"de*cease`, n.
Defn: The death of one person or thing before another. [R.] Brougham.
PREDECESSIVEPred`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.
PREDECLAREPre`de*clare", v. t.
Defn: To declare or announce beforehand; to preannounce. Milman.
PREDEDICATIONPre*ded`i*ca"tion, n.
Defn: A dedication made previously or beforehand.
PREDEFINEPre`de*fine, v. t.
Defn: To define beforehand.
PREDELIBERATIONPre`de*lib`er*a"tion, n.
Defn: Previous deliberation.
PREDELINEATIONPre`de*lin`e*a"tion, n.
Defn: Previous delineation.
PREDELLAPre*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.
PREDESIGNPre`de*sign", v. t.
Defn: To design or purpose beforehand; to predetermine. Mitford.
PREDESIGNATEPre*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.
PREDESTINARIANPre*des`ti*na"ri*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to predestination; as, the predestinarian controversy. Waterland.
PREDESTINARIANPre*des`ti*na"ri*an, n.
Defn: One who believes in or supports the doctrine of predestination.Dr. H. More.
PREDESTINARIANISMPre*des`ti*na"ri*an*ism, n.
Defn: The system or doctrine of the predestinarians.
PREDESTINARYPre*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.
PREDESTINATEPre*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.
PREDESTINATIVEPre*des"ti*na*tive, a.
Defn: Determining beforehand; predestinating. [R.] Coleridge.
PREDESTINATORPre*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.
PREDESTINEPre*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.
PREDESTINYPre*des"ti*ny, n.
Defn: Predestination. [Obs.]
PREDETERMINABLEPre`de*ter"mi*na*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being determined beforehand. Coleridge.
PREDETERMINATEPre`de*ter"mi*nate, a.
Defn: Determined beforehand; as, the predeterminate counsel of God.
PREDETERMINATIONPre`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.
PREDETERMINEPre`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.
PREDETERMINEPre`de*ter"mine, v. i.
Defn: To determine beforehand.
PREDIALPre"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.
PREDIASTOLICPre*di`as*tol"ic, a. (Physiol.)
Defn: Preceding the diastole of the heart; as, a prediastolic friction sound.
PREDICABILITYPred`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.
PREDICABLEPred"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.
PREDICAMENTPre*dic"a*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédicament, L. praedicamentum. SeePredicate.]
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.
PREDICAMENTALPre*dic`a*men"tal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a predicament. John Hall (1646).
PREDICANTPred"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.
PREDICANTPred"i*cant, n.
Defn: One who predicates, affirms, or proclaims; specifically, a preaching friar; a Dominican.
PREDICATEPred"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predicated; p. pr. & vb. n.Predicating.] Etym: [L. praedicatus, p. p. of praedicare to cry inpublic, 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.
PREDICATEPred"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.
PREDICATEPred"i*cate, a. Etym: [L. praedicatus, p. p.]
Defn: Predicated.
PREDICATIONPred`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.
PREDICATIVEPred"i*ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. praedicativus.]
Defn: Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming; predicating, as, a predicative term. — Pred"i*ca*tive*ly, adv.
PREDICATORYPred"i*ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. L. praedicatorius praising.]
Defn: Affirmative; positive. Bp. Hall.
PREDICROTICPre`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.
PREDICTPre*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.
PREDICTPre*dict", n.
Defn: A prediction. [Obs.] Shak.
PREDICTABLEPre*dict"a*ble, a.
Defn: That may be predicted.
PREDICTIONPre*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.
PREDICTIONALPre*dic"tion*al, a.
Defn: Prophetic; prognostic. [R.]
PREDICTIVEPre*dict"ive, a. Etym: [L. praedictivus.]
Defn: Foretelling; prophetic; foreboding.— Pre*dict"ive*ly, adv.
PREDICTORPre*dict"or, n.
Defn: One who predicts; a foreteller.
PREDICTORYPre*dict"o*ry, a.
Defn: Predictive. [R.] Fuller.
PREDIGESTPre`di*gest", v. t. (Med.)
Defn: To subject (food) to predigestion or artificial digestion.
PREDIGESTIONPre`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.
PREDILECTPre`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.
PREDISCOVERPre`dis*cov"er, v. t.
Defn: To discover beforehand.
PREDISCOVERYPre`dis*cov"er*y, n.
Defn: A previous discovery.
PREDISPONENCYPre`dis*po"nen*cy, n.
Defn: The state of being predisposed; predisposition. [R.]
PREDISPONENTPre`dis*po"nent, a.
Defn: Disposing beforehand; predisposing.— n.
Defn: That which predisposes. Predisponent causes. (Med.) SeePredisposing causes, under Predispose. Dunglison.
PREDISPOSEPre`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.
PREDOMINANCEPre*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.
PREDOMINANCYPre*dom"i*nan*cy, n.
Defn: Predominance. Bacon.
PREDOMINANTPre*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.
PREDOMINANTLYPre*dom"i*nant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a predominant manner.
PREDOMINATEPre*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.
PREDOMINATEPre*dom"i*nate, v. t.
Defn: To rule over; to overpower. [R.]
PREDOMINATIONPre*dom`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prédomination.]
Defn: The act or state of predominating; ascendency; predominance. W.Browne.
PREDOOMPre*doom", v. t.
Defn: To foredoom.
PREDORSALPre*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.
PREDYPre"dy, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prêt ready.]
Defn: Cleared and ready for engagement, as a ship. Smart.
PREEDYPreed"y, adv.
Defn: With ease. [Prov. Eng.]
PREEFPreef, n.
Defn: Proof. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PREELECTPre`ë*lect", v. t.
Defn: To elect beforehand.
PREELECTIONPre`ë*lec"tion, n.
Defn: Election beforehand.
PREEMINENCEPre*ëm"i*nence, n. Etym: [F. pré\'82minence, L. praeeminentia. SeePreëminent.]
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.
PREEMINENTPre*ëm"i*nent, a. Etym: [L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere tobe prominent, to surpass: cf. F. pré\'82minent. See Pre-, andEminent.]
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.
PREEMINENTLYPre*ëm"i*nent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a preëminent degree.
PREEMPLOYPre`ëm*ploy, v. t.
Defn: To employ beforehand. "Preëmployed by him." Shak.
PREEMPTPre*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.
PREEMPTIONPre*ëmp"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. pre- + emption: cf. F. préemption. SeeRedeem.]
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.
PREEMPTIONERPre*ëmp"tion*er, n.
Defn: One who holds a prior to purchase certain public land. Abbott.
PREEMPTIVEPre*ëmp"tive, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to preëmption; having power to preëmpt; preëmpting.
PREEMPTORPre*ëmpt"or, n. Etym: [Cf. L. praeemptor.]
Defn: One who preëmpts; esp., one who preëmpts public land.
PREEMPTORYPre*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.
PREENPreen, 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.
PREENGAGEPre`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.
PREENGAGEMENTPre`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 whomI was to write. Boyle.
PREERECTPre`ë*rect", v. t.
Defn: To erect beforehand.
PREESPrees, n.
Defn: Press; throng. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PREESTABLISHPre`ës*tab"lish, v. t.
Defn: To establish beforehand.
PREESTABLISHMENTPre`ës*tab"lish*ment, n.
Defn: Settlement beforehand.
PREETERNITYPre`ë*ter"ni*ty, n.
Defn: Infinite previous duration. [R.] "The world's preëternity."Cudworth.
PREEXAMINATIONPre`ëx*am`i*na"tion, n.
Defn: Previous examination.
PREEXAMINEPre`ëx*am"ine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preëxamined; p. pr. & vb. n.Preëxamining.]
Defn: To examine beforehand.
PREEXISTPre`ëx*ist", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preëxisted; p. pr. & vb. n.Preëxisting.]
Defn: To exist previously; to exist before something else.
PREEXISTENCEPre`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.
PREEXISTENCYPre`ëx*ist"en*cy, n.
Defn: Preëxistence. [Obs.]
PREEXISTENTPre`ëx*ist"ent, a.
Defn: Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a preëxistent state. Pope.
PREEXISTENTISMPre`ëx*ist"ent*ism, n. (Philos.)
Defn: The theory of a preëxistence of souls before their association with human bodies. Emerson.
PREEXISTIMATIONPre`ëx*is`ti*ma"tion, n.
Defn: Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
PREEXPECTATIONPre*ëx`pec*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Previous expectation.
PREFACEPref"ace (; 48), n. Etym: [F. préface; cf. Sp. prefacio, prefacion,It. prefazio, prefazione; all fr. L. praefatio, fr. praefari to speakor 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.
PREFACEPref"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.
PREFACEPref"ace, v. i.
Defn: To make a preface. Jer. Taylor.
PREFACERPref"a*cer, n.
Defn: The writer of a preface.
PREFATORIALPref`a*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Prefatory.
PREFATORILYPref"a*to*ri*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prefatory manner; by way of preface.
PREFATORYPref"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.
PREFECTORIALPre`fec*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a prefect.
PREFECTSHIPPre"fect*ship, n.
Defn: The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.
PREFECTUREPre"fec*ture, n. Etym: [L. praefectura: cf. F. préfecture.]
Defn: The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.
PREFECUNDATIONPre*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.
PREFECUNDATORYPre`fe*cun"da*to*ry, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to prefecundation.
PREFERPre*fer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring.]Etym: [F. préférer, L. praeferre; prae before + ferre to bear orcarry. 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.
PREFERABILITYPref`er*a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness. J. S.Mill.
PREFERABLEPref"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.
PREFERABLENESSPref"er*a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being preferable.
PREFERABLYPref"er*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In preference; by choice.To choose Plautus preferably to Terence. Dennis.
PREFERENCEPref"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
PREFERENTIALPref`er*en"tial, a.
Defn: Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as, a preferential claim; preferential shares.
PREFERENTIAL VOTINGPreferential 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.
PREFERMENTPre*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.
PREFERRERPre*fer"rer, n.
Defn: One who prefers.
PREFIDENCEPref"i*dence, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being prefident. [Obs.] Baxter.
PREFIDENTPref"i*dent, a. Etym: [Cf. L. praefidens overconfident. See Pre-, andConfident.]
Defn: Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident. [Obs.] Baxter.
PREFIGURATEPre*fig"u*rate, v. t. Etym: [L. praefiguratus, p. p. See Prefigure.]
Defn: To prefigure. [R.] Grafton.
PREFIGURATIONPre*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.
PREFIGURATIVEPre*fig"ur*a*tive, a.
Defn: Showing by prefiguration. "The prefigurative atonement." Bp.Horne.
PREFIGUREPre*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.
PREFIGUREMENTPre*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.
PREFINITEPre*fi"nite, a. Etym: [L. praefinitus, p. p.]
Defn: Prearranged. [Obs.] " Set and prefinite time." Holland.
PREFINITIONPref`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.
PREFIXPre"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.
PREFIXIONPre*fix"ion, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. prefixion.]
Defn: The act of prefixing. [R.] Bailey.
PREFLORATIONPre`flo*ra"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. pre- + L. flos, floris, flower.](Bot.)
Defn: Æstivation.
PREFOLIATIONPre*fo`li*a"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. pre- + L. folium leaf.] (Bot.)
Defn: Vernation.
PREFORMPre*form" (, v. t. Etym: [L. praeformare. See Pre-, and Form.]
Defn: To form beforehand, or for special ends. "Their natures and preformed faculties. " Shak.
PREFORMATIONPre`for*ma"tion, n. (Biol.)
Defn: An old theory of the preëxistence of germs. Cf. Emboîtement.
PREFORMATIVEPre*form"a*tive, n.
Defn: A formative letter at the beginning of a word. M. Stuart.
PREFRONTALPre*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.
PREGAGEPre*gage" (, v. t.
Defn: To preëngage. [Obs.] Fuller.
PREGLACIALPre*gla"cial, a. (Geol.)
Defn: Prior to the glacial or drift period.
PREGNABLEPreg"na*ble, a, Etym: [F. prenable. See Impregnable.]
Defn: Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort. [R.] Cotgrave.
PREGNANCEPreg"nance, n.
Defn: Pregnancy. [Obs.] Milton.
PREGNANCYPreg"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.
PREGNANTPreg"nant, n.
Defn: A pregnant woman. [R.] Dunglison.
PREGNANTPreg"nant, a. Etym: [F. prenant taking. Cf. Pregnable.]
Defn: Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open; prompt.[Obs.] " Pregnant to good pity." Shak.
PREGNANTLYPreg"nant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a pregnant manner; fruitfully; significantly.
PREGNANTLYPreg"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.
PREGRAVITATEPre*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.
PREGUSTATIONPre`gus*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The act of tasting beforehand; foretaste. [R.] Dr. Walker (1678).
PREHALLUXPre*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.
PREHENDPre*hend" (, v. t. Etym: [L. prehendere. See Prehensile.]
Defn: To lay hold of; to seize. [Obs.] Middleton.
PREHENSI-BLEPre*hen"si-ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. préhensible.]
Defn: Capable of being seized.
PREHENSILEPre*hen"sile, a. Etym: [L. prehensus, p. p. of prehendere to lay holdof, seize; pre- (equiv. to prae before) + hendere (in comp.), akin toE. 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.
PREHENSIONPre*hen"sion, n. Etym: [L. prehensio; cf. F. préhension. SeePrehensile.]
Defn: The act of taking hold, seizing, or grasping, as with the hand or other member.
PREHENSORYPre*hen"so*ry, a.
Defn: Adapted to seize or grasp; prehensile.
PREHISTORICPre`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.
PREHNITICPrehn*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.
PREIGNITIONPre`ig*ni"tion, n. (Engin.)
Defn: Ignition in an internal-combustion engine while the inlet valve is open or before compression is completed.
PREINDESIGNATEPre`in*des"ig*nate, a. (Logic.)
Defn: Having no sign expressive of quantity; indefinite. SeePredesignate.
PREINDISPOSEPre*in`dis*pose" ( v. t.
Defn: To render indisposed beforehand. Milman.
PREINSTRUCTPre`in*struct" ( v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preinstructed; p. pr. & vb. n.Preinstructing.]
Defn: To instruct previously or beforehand. Dr. H. More.
PREINTIMATIONPre*in`ti*ma"tion n.
Defn: Previous intimation; a suggestion beforehand. T. Scott.
PREJUDGEPre*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.
PREJUDGMENTPre*judg"ment, n.
Defn: The act of prejudging; decision before sufficient examination.
PREJUDICACYPre*ju"di*ca*cy, n.
Defn: Prejudice; prepossession. [Obs.] Sir. H. Blount.
PREJUDICALPre*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.
PREJUDICANTPre*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.
PREJUDICATEPre*ju"di*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prejudicated; p. pr. & vb. n.Prejudicating.] Etym: [Cf. Prejudge.]
Defn: To determine beforehand, especially to disadvantage; toprejudge.Our dearest friend Prejudicates the business. Shak.
PREJUDICATEPre*ju"di*cate, v. i.
Defn: To prejudge. Sir P. Sidney.