pree

n. Proof. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To elect beforehand. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Election beforehand. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prééminence, L. praeeminentia. See Preëminent. ] The quality or state of being preëminent; superiority in prominence or in excellence; distinction above others in quality, rank, etc.; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or notoriety in evil; as, preëminence in honor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The preëminence of Christianity to any other religious scheme. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Painful preëminence! yourself to view
Above life's weakness, and its comforts too. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beneath the forehead's walled preëminence. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

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; as, preëminent in guilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

In goodness and in power preëminent. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a preëminent degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To employ beforehand. “Preëmployed by him.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ imp. & p. p. Preëmpted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëmpting. ] [ See Preëmption. ] 1. To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by preemption. [ Also spelled pre-empt. ] [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

2. To acquire or take for oneself first (an object or right), thereby preventing others from acquiring; to appropriate; to arrogate. [ PJC ]

3. To supplant or take the place of (an action), due to changes in circumstances or priorities; as, the regular meeting was preempted by an emergency conference. [ PJC ]

4. To prevent or delay (an event) by acting beforehand; to head off; to preclude. [ PJC ]