Pré'ter-i'tion, n.
(prē'ter-ĭsh'un), n. [Lat. præteritio, Fr. prétérition, Pr. & Sp. pretericion, It. preterizione. See supra.]
Sense 1. The act of going past; the state of being past.
Sense 2. (Rhet.) A figure by which, in pretending to pass over any thing, a summary mention of it is made; as, “I will not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just,” &c. The most artful praises are those bestowed by way of preterition.
Sense 3. (Law.) The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs who is entitled to a portion in the inheritance. Bouvier.