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A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition. The premises observed, Thy will by my performance shall be served. Shak.

An anterior molar tooth which has replaced a deciduous molar. See Tooth.

The anterior part of the medulla oblongata. B. G. Wilder.

Placed just in front of the eyes, as the antennæ of certain insects. -- n.

The anterior opercular bone in fishes.

Situated in front of, or anterior to, the mouth; as, preoral bands.

Antecedent decree or determination. Shak.

Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of adaptation; antecedent and adapted to what follows; introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a preparatory condition.

Situated in front of, or anterior to, the penis.

Obs.] The method I take may be censured as preposterous, because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth, which was first in the order of nature. Woodward.

Situated in front of, or anterior to, the pubis; pertaining to the prepubis.

Previous sentiment, conception, or opinion; previous apprehension; especially, an antecedent impression or conviction of something unpleasant, distressing, or calamitous, about to happen; anticipation of evil; foreboding.

Situated in front of the sphenoid bone; of or pertaining to the anterior part of the sphenoid bone (i. e., the presphenoid bone). Presphenoid bone (Anat.), the anterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone in front of the basisphenoid. It is usually a separate bone in the young or fetus, but becomes a part of the sphe…

The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. -- Pre*ster"nal, a.

to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose. Every man is to be presumed innocent till he is proved to be guilty. Blackstone. What rests but that the mortal sentence pass, . . . Which he presumes already vain and void, Because not yet inflicted M…

ct of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence; the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof.

To suppose beforehand; to imply as antecedent; to take for granted; to assume; as, creation presupposes a creator. Each [kind of knowledge] presupposes many necessary things learned in other sciences, and known beforehand. Hooker.

The act of presupposing; an antecedent implication; presumption.

Passed through; antecedent; previous; as, preterient states. [R.]

Going before in time; being or happening before something else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a previous illness. The dull sound . . . previous to the storm, Rolls o'er the muttering earth. Thomson. Previous question. (Parliamentary Practice) See under Question, and compare Closure. -- Previous to, bef…