Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-CON'TRACT, n. [pre and contract.]

A contract previous to another. – Shak.

PRE-CON-TRACT', v.i.

To make a previous contract or agreement.

PRE-CON-TRACT', v.t.

To contract or stipulate previously.

PRE-CON-TRACT'ED, pp.

Previously contracted or stipulated; previously engaged by contract; as, a woman precontracted to another man. – Ayliffe.

PRE-CON-TRACT'ING, ppr.

Stipulating or covenanting beforehand.

PRE-CORD'I-AL, a.

Pertaining to the precordia, or parts before the heart.

PRE-CURS'A-RI-LY, adv.

In a manner indicating that something is to follow.

PRE-CURSE', n. [precurs'; L. præcursus, præcurro; præ and curro, to run.]

A forerunning. [Not used.] – Shak.

PRE-CURS'OR, n. [L. præcursor, supra.]

A forerunner; a harbinger; he or that which precedes an event and indicates its approach; as, Jove's lightnings, the precursors of thunder. – Shak. A cloud in the southwest, in winter, is often the precursor of a snow storm. A hazy atmosphere in the west, at sunset, is often the precursor of a cloudy or of a rainy day. – United States. Evil thoughts are the invisible, airy precursors of all the storms and tempests of the soul. Buckminster.

PRE-CURS'OR-Y, a.

Preceding as the harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever. – Med. Repos.

PRE-CURS'OR-Y, n.

An introduction. [Not used.] – Hammond.

PRE-DA'CE-AN, n.

A carnivorous animal. – Kirby.

PRE-DA'CEOUS, a. [L. prædaceus, from præda, prey, spoil.]

Living by prey. – Derham.

PRE'DAL, a. [L. præda, prey.]

1. Pertaining to prey.
2. Practicing plunder. – Boyle.

PRED'A-TO-RI-LY, adv.

In a predatory manner.

PRED'A-TO-RY, a. [L. prædatorius, from præda, prey.]

1. Plundering; pillaging; characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; as, a predatory war; a predatory excursion; a predatory party.
2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits or appetite. [Hardly allowable.] – Bacon.

PRE-DE-CEASE', v.i. [pre and decease.]

To die before. – Shak.

PRE-DE-CEAS'ED, a.

Dead before. – Shak.

PRE-DE-CES'SOR, n. [Fr. prédécesseur; L. præ and decedo, to depart.]

A person who has preceded another in the same office. The king, the president, the judge, or the magistrate, follows the steps of his predecessor, or he does not imitate the example of his predecessors. It is distinguished from ancestor, who, is of the same blood; but it may perhaps be sometimes used for it. – Hooker. Addison.

PRE-DE-CLAR'ED, a.

Declared beforehand. – Burke.

PRE-DE-LIN-E-A'TION, n.

Previous delineation.

PRE-DE-SIGN', v.t.

To design or purpose beforehand; to predetermine.

PRE-DE-SIGN'ED, pp.

Purposed or determined previously. – Mitford.

PRE-DE-SIGN'ING, ppr.

Designing previously.

PRE-DES-TI-NA'RI-AN, n. [See Predestinate.]

One that believes in the doctrine of predestination. – Walton.