preposition

n. [ L. praepositio, fr. praeponere to place before; prae before + ponere to put, place: cf. F. préposition. See Position, and cf. Provost. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Gram.) A word employed to connect a noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word; a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other word; -- so called because usually placed before the word with which it is phrased; as, a bridge of iron; he comes from town; it is good for food; he escaped by running. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A proposition; an exposition; a discourse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He made a long preposition and oration. Fabyan. [ 1913 Webster ]