Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Pré-ex-ist'ent, a. p. 1026Existing beforehand; preceding in existence. What mortal knows his pre-existent state? Pope.Pré-/ex-is'ti-mā'tion, n. p. 1026Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.] Browne.Prē-ēx-pĕc-tā'tion, n. p. 1026Previous expectation.Prĕf'ace, n. p. 1026Something 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…Prē'face, v. t. p. 1026To introduce by preliminary remarks; as, to preface a book or discourse. 2. To face; to cover; — used humorously. “Not prefacing old rags with plush.” Cleveland.Prĕf'ace, v. i. p. 1026To say something introductory; to make a preface.Prĕf'a-cer, n. p. 1026The writer of a preface. Dryden.Prēf'a-tō'ri-al, a. p. 1026Serving to introduce or preface; as, prefatorial remarks. Gilpin.Prĕf'a-to-ri-ly, adv. p. 1026By way of preface.Préf'a-to-ry, a. p. 1026Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse.Prē'fect, n. p. 1026A Roman officer who was over, or who superintended, a particular command, charge, department, and the like. Of this class there were several, as the prefect of the aqueducts, the prefect of a camp…Prē'fect-ship or Prē'fect-ūre, n. p. 1027The office of a chief magistrate, commander, or viceroy. 2. The jurisdiction of a prefect.Pre-fĕr', v. t. p. 1027To set forth; to offer; to present; to address; —said especially of a request, prayer, or the like; and sometimes followed by above, before, or to. Their tongues prefer strange orisons on high.…Préf'er-a-ble, a. p. 1027Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more eligible; more desirable.Pref'er-a-ble-ness, n. p. 1027The quality or state of being preferable. Mountague.Pref'er-a-bly, adv. p. 1027In preference; by choice or predilection. How comes he to choose Plautus preferably to Terence? Dennis.Préf'er-ence, n. p. 1027The act of preferring one thing before another; higher estimation; predilection; choice; — with to, above, before, or over, before the thing postponed. Leave the critics on either side to contend…Pref'er-en'tial, a. p. 1027Giving, indicating, or having a preference; as, preferential duties; preferential shares; a preferential shareholder.Pre-fêr'ment, n. p. 1027The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; or the state of being advanced; promotion; exaltation; ascending gradation of rank; superior place. Neither royal blandishments nor promises…Pre-fĕr'rer, n. p. 1027One who prefers.Pré'fi-dence, n. p. 1027A previous trusting. [Obs.] Baxter.Préfi'dent, a. p. 1027Trusting previously. [Obs.] Baxter.Pre-fig'ū-rāte, v. t. p. 1027To show by antecedent representation; to prefigure. [Obs.]Pre-fig'ū-rā'tion, n. p. 1027The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured; antecedent representation by similitude. A variety of prophecies and prefigurations had their punctual accomplishment in the author of this…Pre-fig'ū-ra-tive, a. p. 1027Showing by previous figures, types, or similitudes, prefiguring.Pre-fig'ūre, v. t. p. 1027To announce or suggest by types and similitudes. “Whom all the various types prefigured.” South.Pre-fig'ūre-ment, n. p. 1027Act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is prefigured. Carlyle.Pre-fine', v. t. p. 1027To limit beforehand. [Obs.] Knolles.Prē-fī'nite, a. p. 1027Pre-arranged; definite. [Obs.] “Set and prefinite time.” Holland.Prĕf'i-ni'tion, n. p. 1027Previous limitation. [Obs.]Pre'fix', v. t. p. 1027To put or fix before, or at the beginning of another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word; to prefix an advertisement to a book, or an epithet to a title. 2. To set or appoint beforehand; to…Prē/fix, n. p. 1027A letter, syllable, or word, set before a word, or combined or united with it at its beginning, to vary its signification; as pre in prefix, con in conjure, with in withstand.Pre-fix'ion, n. p. 1027The act of prefixing.Prē-flō-rā'tion, n. p. 1027(Bot.) The disposition of the parts in a flower-bud; æstivation.Prē'fo-li-ā'tion, n. p. 1027(Bot.) The arrangement of the parts in leaf-buds before expanding; vernation. Henslow.Prē-fōrm′, v. t. p. 1027To form beforehand. [Obs.] Shak.Pre-fŏrm'a-tive, n. p. 1027A formative letter at the beginning of a word. M. Stuart.Pre-fŭl'gen-cy, n. p. 1027Superior brightness or effulgency. [Rare.] Barrow.Pre-gā'ge, v. t. p. 1027To engage beforehand. [Obs.] “By oath pregaged to the pope.” Fuller.Prē-glā'cial, a. p. 1027(Geol.) Prior to the glacial or drift period. Dana.Prĕg'na-ble, a. p. 1027Capable of being taken or won by force; expugnable. [R.] Cotgrave.Prĕg'nance, n. p. 1027Pregnancy. [Obs.]Prĕg'nan-cy, n. p. 1027The condition of being pregnant; the state of being with young. 2. The quality of being heavy with important contents, significance, or the like; unusual consequence or capacity; fertility.…Prĕg'nant, a. p. 1027Being with young, as a female; great with child; breeding; teeming; gravid; preparing to bring forth. 2. Hence, heavy with important contents; full of consequence; of unusual significance. “Pregnant…Prĕg'nant, n. p. 1027One who is pregnant or with child. [Rare.] Dunglison.Prĕg'nant, a. p. 1027Taking; receiving, admitting; giving access. [Obs.] “Your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear.” Shak. “A most poor man . . . pregnant to good pity.” Shak.Prĕg'nant-ly, adv. p. 1027In a pregnant manner; fruitfully; significantly.Prĕ'gra-vāte, v. t. p. 1027To bear down, to depress. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.Pre-grāv'i-tāte, v. i. p. 1027To descend by gravity. [Obs.] Boyle.Pre-gŭs'tant, a. p. 1027Tasting beforehand. [Rare.] Ed. Rev.Prĕ/gus-tā'/tion, n. p. 1027The act of tasting beforehand; foretaste.Pre-hĕnd', v. t. p. 1027To lay hold of; to seize; to take. [Obs.]Pre-hĕn'si-ble, a. p. 1027Admitting of being seized.Pre-hĕn'sile, a. p. 1027Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as the prehensile tail of a monkey.Pre-hĕn'sion, n. p. 1027A taking hold; a seizing, as with the hand or other member.Pre-hĕn'so-ry, a. p. 1027Adapted to seize or grasp; pre-hensile.Pré-his-tōr'ie, a. p. 1027Relating to a time before that described in written history; as, the prehistoric age.Prĕhn'ite, n. p. 1027(Min.) A pale-green mineral, of a vitreous luster, occurring in botryoidal and mammillary concretions, and in small prismatic crystals. It consists of silica, alumina, and lime, with some water. Dana.Pré'-in-dis-pōse', v. t. p. 1027To render indisposed beforehand.Pré/-in-strūct’, v. t. p. 1027To instruct previously. Sir T. More.