a. [ L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F. prééminent. See Pre-, and Eminent. ] Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities;
In goodness and in power preëminent. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a preëminent degree. [ 1913 Webster ]