Search the Dictionary

To appoint previously, or beforehand. Carlyle.

An apprehension or opinion formed before examination or knowledge. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

To arrange beforehand.

Occurring before the symptom ataxia has developed; -- applied to the early symptoms of locomotor ataxia.

To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange. Masson.

A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.

To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." Milton.

The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.

Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. "A precedent injury." Bacon. Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.

Beforehand; antecedently.

Going before; -- opposed to following.

The act of going before, or forward. Lunisolar precession. (Astron.) See under Lunisolar. -- Planetary precession, that part of the precession of the equinoxes which depends on the action of the planets alone. -- Precession of the equinoxes (Astron.), the slow backward motion of the equinoctial points along the eclip…

Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done before the time; as, a precipitate measure. "The rapidity of our too precipitate course." Landor.

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.

Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

To cogitate beforehand. [R.] Sherwood.

Cognizable beforehand.

To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence. A committee of nine precognoscing the chances. Masson.

To compose beforehand. Johnson.

An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception. Hooker.