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To excel in magnificence or comeliness. The basest weed outbraves his dignity. Shak.

Above; -- implying superiority in excellence, dignity, condition, or value; as, the advantages which the Christian world has over the heathen. Swift.

To domineer over; to affront; to treat with indignity. [Obs.] Chaucer.

The province or seigniory of a palatine; the dignity of a palatine. Howell.

The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction.

Equality of condition, blood, or dignity; also, equality in the partition of an inheritance. Spelman.

The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a patriarch. Jer. Taylor.

The rank or dignity of a peer. Blackstone.

Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling. "The enervating magic of place." Hawthorne. Men in great place are thrice servants. Bacon. I know my place as I would they should do theirs. Shak.…

The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the office of the pope. Addison.

The place, office, or dignity of the pope; papal dignity. Shak.

The quality or state of being portly; dignity of mien or of personal appearance; stateliness. Such pride is praise; such portliness is honor. Spenser.

The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners. Which of them [the different desires] has the precedency in determining the will to the next action Locke.

A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity. Addis & Arnold.

To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general. I would prefer him to a better place. Shak.

The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion. Neither royal blandishments nor promises of valuable preferment had been spared. Macaulay.

The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates. Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices. Ayliffe.

The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. Milman.

The office or dignity of a provost; a provostship. Lowth.

Port, mien; air; personal appearence. "Rather dignity of presence than beauty of aspect." Bacon. A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance. Collier. Presence chamber, or Presence room, the room in which a great personage receives company. Addison." Chambers of presence." Bacon. -- Presence of mind, that state of the min…