Pre-ēm'i-nence, n.

n. [Eng. prefix pre, and eminence; Fr. prééminence, Pr., Sp., & Pg. preeminencia, It. preeminenzia, preeminenza, Lat. præeminentia. See infra.] The state or quality of being pre-eminent; superiority in excellence; distinction above others in quality, position, or the like; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or notoriety in evil; as, pre-eminence in honor or virtue; pre-eminence in eloquence, in legal attainments, or in medical skill. “The pre-eminence of Christianity to any other religious scheme.” Addison.

*Painful pre-eminence! yourself to view Above life's weakness and its comforts too. Pope.*