Defn: Previous examination.
PREEXAMINE
Pre`ëx*am"ine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preëxamined; p. pr. & vb. n.
Preëxamining.]
Defn: To examine beforehand.
PREEXIST
Pre`ëx*ist", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preëxisted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Preëxisting.]
Defn: To exist previously; to exist before something else.
PREEXISTENCE
Pre`ëx*ist"ence, n.
1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something else. Wisdom declares her antiquity and preëxistence to all the works of this earth. T. Burnet.
2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; — a doctrine held by certain philosophers. Addison.
PREEXISTENCY
Pre`ëx*ist"en*cy, n.
Defn: Preëxistence. [Obs.]