prelector 
prelector (pre-lok'tor), . [Also prmlector ; < 
L. prielector, one who reads aloud to others, 
prselcgerc, read aloud: see prelect.'] 1. A 
reader of discourses; a lecturer, particularly 
in a university. 
On the English " Odyssey " a criticism was published by 
Spence, at that time Prelector of Poetry at Oxford. 
Joliuxin, Pope. 
2. Same as father, 12. Dickens, Diet. Oxf. and 
Camb. 
preliationt (pre-li-a'shon), n. [< LL. prcelia- 
tio(n-), fighting, < L. prceliari, join battle, fight, 
< prcelium, prxlium, battle, fight.] Strife ; con- 
tention. 
We have stirred the humors of the foolish inhabitants 
of the earth to insurrections, to warr and preeliatiim. 
tlowett, Parly of Beasts, p. 83. (Davies.) 
prelibation (pre-li-ba'shon), n. [= F. prcliba- 
tiaii = Pg.^reW>flfo*0,< lilli.prielibatio(n-), a tast- 
ing or taking away beforehand, < li.nrxlibatus, 
pp. of pnelibare, taste beforehand, foretaste, < 
prte, before, + ware, take a little from, taste: 
see libatc, libation.'] 1. The act of tasting be- 
forehand or by anticipation ; a foretaste. 
In the flrst chapter of Genesis Is also a prelibation of 
those illustrious truths which are more fully and circum- 
stantially delivered in the second and third. 
Dr. 11. Mare, Def. of Moral Cabbala, Iv., App. 
Prelibation*, as of some heavenly vintage, were inhaled 
by the Vlrgils of the day looking forward in the spirit of 
prophetic rapture. De Quincey, Philos. of Rom. Hist 
2. A previous libation; an offering made be- 
forehand, as if in libation. 
The holy Jesus was circumcised, and shed the first fruits 
of his blood, offering them to Cod, like the prelibation of 
a sacrifice. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 51. 
There is Paradise that fears 
No forfeiture, and of its fruits he sends 
Large prelibation oft to saints below. 
Coicper, Task, V. 574. 
preliminarily (pre-liin'i-na-ri-li), adi: In a 
preliminary manner; as a preliminary; pre- 
viously. 
preliminary (pre-lim'i-nS-ri), a. and . [= P. 
preliminaire = Sp. Pg. prcliminar = It. prc- 
liminare, < ML. "pree'liminarin (in adv. ]>rx- 
Uminariter), < L. JMYB, before, + limcii (liinin-), 
a threshold: see limit.'] I. a. Preceding and 
leading up to something more important; in- 
troductory; preparatory; prefatory. 
I shall premise some preliminary considerations to pre- 
pare the way of holiness. Jer. Taylor, Works, III. ill. 
Swedish customs already appeared, in a preliminary de- 
canter of lemon-colored brandy, a thimbleful of which was 
taken with a piece of bread and sausage, before the soup 
appeared. B. Taylor, Northern Travel, p. 14. 
Preliminary injunction. See ad interim injunction, 
under injunction. - Preliminary Judgment. See Judy- 
ment.=&yn. Preliminary, Preparatory, Introductory, pro- 
emial. The flrst three agree in dittoing from the words 
compared under previous, in that they imply a necessary 
connection between that which precedes and that which 
follows, the latter being the essential thing. That which 
is preliminary literally brings one to the threshold of a 
discourse, contract, or the like ; that which is preparatory 
prepares one, as to consider a proposition, subject, etc. ; 
that which is introductory brings one inside the matter in 
question : as, a truce preliminary to a treaty ; a disposition 
of troops preparatory to an attack ; remarks introductory 
to the statement of one's theme. 
H. n. ; pi. preliminaries (-riz). Something 
which introduces or leads up to following mat- 
ter or events; an introductory or preparatory 
statement, measure, action, etc.; a preface; a 
prelude. 
A serpent, which, as a preliminary to fascination, is said 
to nil the air with his peculiar odor. 
Hawthorne, Seven Gables, viii. 
On entering the abbey, she [Anne lioleyn] was led to the 
coronation chair, where she sat while the train fell into 
their places, and the preliminariee of the ceremonial were 
despatched. Froude, Sketches, p. 179. 
prelingual (pre-liug'gwal), a. [< pre- + lin- 
gual.'] Preceding the acquisition of the power 
of speech; antecedent to the development of 
language. 
The first is the prelingual state, in which impressions 
of outward objects exist in the mind as inarticulate, voice- 
less concepts. J. Owen, Evenings with Skeptics, II. 364. 
Theoretical admirers of the prelingual period are, possi- 
bly, scattered here and there to this day. 
F. Hall, Mod. Eng.,p. 334. 
prelookt, r. i. [< pre- 4- look 1 .] To look for- 
ward. [Rare.] 
It was the Lord that brake the bloody compackts of those 
That prelolced on with yre, to slaughter me and mync. 
Surrey, Psalm Iv. 
prelude (pre-lud' or prol'ud), r.;pret. and pp. 
jirfliidrd, ppr. in't'liidhif/. [X OP. prcltuler, F. 
jiri'iinlcr = It. i>rrludrrc. pivlude (in music) (cf. 
Sp. Pg. priiiidinr, prelude (in music); from the 
noun), < L. prxluderc, play beforehand by way 
of practice or rehearsal, sing beforehand, pre- 
4691 
premeditate 
Scared with some terrible apparition, . . . a 
and preludium of hell approaching, they cry out that they 
are damned. A 1 " 1 . ."'. Ward, Sermons, p. 59. 
mise, preface, <prse, before, + ludrrr, play: see 
ludicrous. Cf. allude, collude, elude, illudc. The 
E. verb is in part from the noun : see prelude, .] 
I. tran*. 1. T-o preface; prepare the way for; prelumbar (pre-lum bar), a. [< L. prse, be- 
introduco as by a prelude; foreshadow. f ? r > t .'"?*", loin- see lumbar^.} In anal., 
The literary change from alliteration to rhyme was 
mainly coeval with the Reformation; preluded by Chau- 
cer a century and a half before. 
I-:. Wadham, Eng. Versification, p. 12. 
Here might be urged the necessity for preluding the 
study of mi'i il science by the study of biological science. 
//. Kpencer, Data of Ethics, ( 38. 
Dan Chaucer, the flrst warbler, whose sweet breath 
Preluded those melodious bursts that fill 
The spacious times of great Elizabeth 
With sounds that echo still. Tennyson, Fair Women. 
2. Specifically, in muic, to play a prelude to; 
introduce by a musical prelude. 
And I my harp would prelude woe 
I cannot all command the strings ; 
The glory of the sum of things 
Will flash across the chords and go. 
Tennyton, In Memoriam, Ixxxviii. 
3. To serve as a prelude to ; precede as a musi- 
cal prelude. 
Beneath the sky's triumphal arch 
This music sounded like a march, 
And with its chorus seemed to be 
Preluding some great tragedy. 
Longfellow, Occultatlon of Orion. 
II. intrant. 1. To perform a prelude or in- 
troduction ; give a preface to later action ; es- 
pecially, in music, to play a prelude, or intro- 
ductory passage or movement, before beginning 
a principal composition. 
So Love, preluding, plays at flrst with Heart*, 
And after wounds with deeper piercing Darts. 
Congreve, tr. of Ovid's Art of Love, lit 
She immediately rose and went to the piano a some- 
what worn instrument that seemed to get the better of 
its Infirmities under the firm touch of her small fingers as 
she prelude d. George Eliot, Daniel Deronda, xxxii. 
2. To serve as a prelude or introduction ; espe- 
cially, to constitute a musical prelude. 
Sabbath of months ! henceforth in him be blest, 
And prelude to the realm's perpetual rest ! 
Dryden, Britannia Redivhra, L 187. 
Preluding light, were strains of music heard. 
Scott, Vision of Don Roderick, The Vision, st. 33. 
prelude (pro'lud or prol'ud), . [Formerly 
also prcludiuiu (< ML.); < Of .prelude, F. pre- 
lude = Sp. Pg. It. prcludio, < ML. *i>rteludium, 
a playing or performing beforehand, < L. prse- 
ludere, play beforehand by way of practice or 
trial, premise, preface : see prelude, r.] 1. An 
introductory performance ; a preliminary to an 
action, event, or work of broader scope and 
higher importance; a preface; presage; fore- 
shadowing. 
A strange accident befell him, perchance not so worthy 
of memory for itself as for that it secmeth to have been 
a kind of prelude to his final period. 
Sir U. Wotton, Reliquue, p. 228. 
Maybe wildest dreams 
Are but the needful preludet of the truth. 
Tennyton, Princess, Conclusion. 
2. In music, a prefatory or introductory piece, 
section, or movement, either extended and more 
or less independent, as in many elaborate 
fugues, in suites and sonatas, in oratorios and 
operas, or brief and strictly connected with 
what is to follow, as in various shorter works 
and at the opening of church services and be- 
fore hymns. The organ prelude to a church 
service is often called a voluntary. Compare 
intrada, introduction, overture, vorspiel, etc. 
The title of Prelude has never been associated with any 
particular form in music, but is equally applicable to a 
phrase of a few bars or an extended composition In strict 
or free style. Qnme't Diet. Mutic, III. 28. 
= Syn. 1. Preface, etc. (see introduction), preliminary. 
2. See overture, 4. 
preluder (pre'lu-der or prel'u-der), n. [< pre- 
lude + -er 1 .] One who preludes; one who 
plays a prelude. 
Invention, science, and execution Rousseau requires in 
a good preluder. W. Maton, Church Mustek, p. 60. 
preludial (pre-lu'di-al), a. [< prelude (ML. 
'preeludiuni) 4- -i-al,]" Pertaining to a prelude ; 
serving to introduce ; introductory. Edinburgh 
Her. 
preludious (pre-lu'di-ns), a. [< prelude (ML. 
"preeludiiim) + -oiw.] Of the nature of a pre- 
lude; introductory. [Bare.] 
The office of Adam was preludiout to and typical of the 
office of Christ. 
Dr. H. More, Phil. Writings, Gen. Pref., p. xxv. 
preludiumt(pre-lu'di-Mm). . [< ML. "jtnrlii- 
diuin: si-e prelude."] An introduction; prefa- 
tory action or state ; a prelude ; a presage. 
This Is a short preludium to a challenge. 
Beau, and Fl., Captain, v. 1. 
placed in front of the loins or of the lumbar 
vertebras. 
prelusive (pre-lu'siv), a. [< L. prielusux, pp. 
of i>reelttdere, play beforehand (see prelude), + 
-ire.] Serving as a prelude ; introductory ; in- 
dicative of the future ; premonitory. 
This monarchy, before It was to settle In your majesty 
and your generations, . . . had these prehuire changes 
and varieties. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, II. 132. 
Her foot pressed the strand, 
With stp prelurioe to a long array 
Of woes and degradations. 
Wardticorth, Mary Queen of Scots. 
prelusively (pre-lu'siv-li), adv. Same &&pre- 
lu-sorily. 
prelusorily (pre-lu'so-ri-li), adv. By way of in- 
troduction or prelude; prefatorily; previously. 
prelusory (pre-lu'so-ri), a. [< L. prielusus, pp. 
of prludere,'plny beforehand (sec prelude), + 
ory.~] Introductory ; prelusive. 
But the truth Is, these are but the irpoirvypat' or <ria- 
uavcai, the prelutory lighter brandishings i if these swords. 
Hammond, Works, IV. 470. 
premandibular (pre-man-dib'u-lUr), a. [< L. 
}>rte, before, + NL. mandibula, mandible: see 
mandibular.] Situated in advance of the lower 
jaw, as a bone of some reptiles ; predentary. 
premaniacal (pre-ma-ni'a-kal), a. [< L. prif, 
before, + mania, madness (see mania), + -ac-al. 
Cf. maniacal.'] Previous to insanity, or to an 
attack of mania. 
The premaniacal semblance of mental brilliancy. 
Maiidflcy, Body and Will, p. 297. 
premature (pre-ma-tur'), a. [= Sp. Pg. It. 
prcnidturo (cf. P. premature, < L. as if *yi/vr- 
iii(ituratnx),<. L. i>riematurug, early ripe, as fruit ; 
hence very early, too early, untimely (said of 
actions, events, seasons, etc.), in ML. also very 
ripe in judgment, < prif, before, + maturtis, 
ripe, mature: see mature.'] Arriving too early 
at maturity; mature or ripe before the proper 
time ; hence, coming into existence or occurring 
too soon; too early; untimely; overhasty. 
The report of our misfortunes might be malicious or 
premature. Qoldtmith, Vicar, ill. 
Bashfulness and apathy are a tough busk, In which a 
delicate organization is protected from premature ripen- 
ing. Emerson, Friendship. 
Premature labor. See labori. 
prematurely (pre-ma-tur'li), adr. In a prema- 
ture manner; before the proper time; too early; 
overhastily. 
prematureness (pre-ma-tur'nes), n. Prema- 
turity. 
prematurity (pre-ma-tu'ri-ti), n. [= F. pre- 
maturitc = Pg. prematuridtide ; as premature + 
-ify.] The state of being premature, or too 
early in development. 
It was the bewilderment and prematurity of the same In- 
stinct which restlessly Impelled them to materialize the 
Ideas of the Greek philosophers, and to render them prac- 
tical by superstitious uses. Coleridge, The Friend, II. 10. 
premaxilla (pre-mak-sil'a), .; pi. premaxillie 
(-e). [NL.jwafTOaxiWa, < L. prse, before, + max- 
illa, jaw-bone: see maxilla.] The intermaxil- 
lary or premaxillary bone. See intermaxillary. 
premaxillary (pre-mak'si-la-ri), a. and H.; pi. 
premaxillaries (-riz). [Also preemaxillary ; <L. 
prse, before, + maxilla, jaw-bone : see maxil- 
lary.'] I. a. Situated in front of or at the fore 
part of the maxilla; intermaxillary; pertain- 
mgto the premaxilla. 
JU. n. The premaxillary bone; the intermax- 
illary. 
premaxillomaxillary (pre-mak-sil-o-mak'si- 
la-ri), a. Same as niaxillopremaxillary. Huxley. 
premet. a. A Middle English form of prime. 
premediate (pre-me'di-at), v. t.; pret. and pp. 
premediated, ppr. premediating. [<j>rc- + me- 
diate.] To advocate, as a cause. Sallitcell. 
[Rare.] 
premeditate (pre-med'i-tat), v. ; pret. and pp. 
premeditated, ppr. premeditating. [< li.praemedi- 
tatus, pp. of prxmeditari (> It. premeditare = 
Sp. Pg. premeditar = F. prcmfditcr), consider 
or think beforehand, <.pr, before, + mcditari, 
consider, meditate : see mcdi tate.] I. trans. To 
meditate beforehand; think about and con- 
trive previously ; precogitate. 
Here, pale with fear, he doth premeditate 
The dangers of his loathsome enterprise. 
Shak., Lucrece, I. 183. 
An express premeditated design to take away his life. 
Kaehtone, Com., IV. IT. 196, 
