prepotent 
When one parent alone displays some newly-acquired 
and generally Inheritable character, and the offspring do 
not Inherit It, the cause may lie In the other parent having 
the power of prepotent transmission. 
liarieiii, Var. of Animal* and Plants, viii. 
2. Highly endued with potentiality or potential 
power. 
It U by the operation of an Insoluble mystery that life Is 
evolved, specie* differentiated, and mind unfolded from 
their prepotent elements In the Immeasurable past. 
Tyndall. 
prepotential (pre-po-ten'shal), a. and n. [< 
j,r< -- + potential, dt. prepotent.] I, a. Same 
as prepotent. 
What a contrast between those days, when the "discre- 
tionary powers of a diplomatist " were duly recognised, and 
our times of " telegraphic ambassadors " and a prepotential 
" clerkery " : ;'/,, Academy, Nov. 24, 1888, p. 329. 
II. H. A quantity similar to a potential and 
only differing therefrom in belonging to a force 
varying inversely as a power of the distance 
whose index is not one less than the number of 
dimensions of the space considered, 
prepractiset (pre-prak'tis), . t. [< pre- + prac- 
tise.] To practise beforehand. 
Making It necessary for others what voluntarily they had 
prepractued themselves. Fuller, Ch. Hist, XI. iii. 14. 
preprint (pre'print), n. [< pre- + print.] That 
which is printed in advance; an early issue, as 
of a paper that is to be published in a journal 
or as one of a series. [Bare.] 
To issue these papers Independently In a series of pre- 
printt. The Academy, June 1, 1889, p. 385. 
preproperationMpre-prop-e-ra'shon), n. [< LL. 
as if *praiiro]>eratio(n-), < praproperare, hasten 
greatly, ( L. praproperus, very hasty: seepre- 
properous.] Kxcessive haste; precipitancy; a 
rash measure. 
I feare the importunity of some impatient, and subtle- 
ty of some malevolent mimics, will put lioth Parliament 
and Assembly upon some preproperationg. 
X. Ward, Simple Cooler, p. 41. 
preproperOUSt (pre-prop'e-rus), a. [< L. prse- 
properux, very hasty, <.prte, before, + proper -us, 
quick, speedy, hasty: see properate.] Over- 
hasty; precipitate. Webster. 
preprovide (pre-pro-vid'), v. t.; pret. and pp. 
prejirw ided, ppr. preproviding. [< pre- + pro- 
rule.] To provide beforehand. 
Before livings were actually void, he provisionally pre- 
provided incumbents for them. 
Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. Ix. 25. 
prepubic (pre-pu'bik), n. [< L. pra, before, + 
pilots, pubis.] In .-.mil. and anat., situated in 
front of, or on the fore part of, the pubis ; of or 
pertaining to a prepubis Prepubic angle, the 
bend in the urethra of the pendent penis in front of the 
puhis. Prepubic bone, the preacetabular part of the 
pubic hunt- of birds and reptiles. See cut under pterotiac- 
tyl. - Prepubic process, in A ret, the pubis proper, or pre- 
pubis. 
A large spatulate bone [In Pterodactylut] articulates with 
each pubis near the symphysis, and seems to be an exagge- 
ration of the pre-pulnc procett of Lacertilla and Chelonia. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 231. 
prepubis (pre-pu'bis), n.; pi. prepuhcs (-bez). 
[NL. priepubin,<, L. ;>r, before, + pulns, pubis.] 
The front section or preacetabular part of the 
pubic bone, being the pubis proper of birds and 
reptiles, well developed in dinosaurs, small or 
rudimentary in birds, it Is to the bone in birds that 
the word Is usually applied, the same hone being called the 
pubu when well developed, as In dinosaurs. 
prepuce (pre'pus), w. [< F. prepuce = Sp. Pg. 
pn-pucio = It. jtrepuzio, < L. prieputium, the 
foreskin, (pra, before, + *putinm, perhaps con- 
nected with Or. irAadiov, n6aOn, penis.] Tne fold 
of skin over the glans penis; the foreskin. 
Prepuce of the clitoris, the folds of the nymphn encir- 
cling the gUns of the clitoris. 
prepunctual (prc-pungk'tu-al), a. [< pre- + 
punctual.] 1. More than punctual ; excessive- 
ly prompt in action or movement. 2. Acting 
or occurring before a specified point of time. 
prepunctuality (prv-punKk-tu-al'i-ti), n. [< 
in-- - + punctuality.] Anticipative punctuality, 
as the habit of keeping an engagement some- 
what before the time appointed; excess! vi' punc- 
tuality. 
In Mr. Arthur Helps' ... "In Meroortam" In this 
month's " Macmillan," speaking of Charles Dlckens'i more 
than punctuality, he has happily described the quality by 
so characteristic term, prepuiulualit,/, that the word 
must henceforth assume a recognized pUce In our Ian- 
I-' 1 ";.'' A.andg.,4thser., VI. 25. 
Jti'.IS 
prepatlal (prf--pu'ahal), o. [\\touryiiutiul; = 
K. iirrputiitl, < L. prteputium, the foreskin (see 
prepuce), + -al.] Of or pertaining to the pre- 
puee: us. /,ri-iiutinl folils of skin; prt-piitml fol- 
licles or secretions. 
Tne Musk Deer ... Is small and hornless, and the male 
has canine teeth In the upper Jaw. The musk ls contained 
In a prxputiat bag. W. W. Greener, The tiun, p. 607. 
Preputial crypte, follicles, or glands, small lenticular 
sebaceotiH guuids situated upon the corona glandis and cer- 
vix of the penis, secreting the smegma. Also called gland* 
o/Ty$on and oiloriferou* ylanil*. The corresponding struc- 
ture! of some animals are highly developed, and yield com- 
mercial products, as musk and castoreum. 
preputium, praeputium (pre-pu'shi-um), .; pi. 
pre]iutia,praputia(-&). [ii.praputium: seepre- 
puce.] The prepuce or foreskin. 
In most mammals the penis is inclosed In a sheath of 
Integument, the preputium. Huxley, Anat Vert., p. 99. 
Frenum praputil. See frenvm. 
prepyloric (pre-pi-lor'ik), a. [< L. pra, before, 
+ K L. pylorus : eeepylorie.] Situated in front 
of the pylorus. -Prepyloric ossicle, in the stomach 
of the crawfish. See the quotation. 
With this [urocardiac] process Is articulated, posteriorly, 
a broad prepyloric otande, which . . . articulates with the 
anterior edge of the pylorlc ossicle, thus forming a kind of 
elastic diagonal brace between the urocardiac process and 
the pyloric ossicle. Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 277. 
Preraphaelism (pre-raf'a-el-izm), n. [= F. 
preraphaelisme; as pre- + Kaphael + -ism.] 
Same as Preraphttelitism. 
Preraphaelite ( pre-raf 'a-el-5t), a. and . [= 
F. i>reraphaelite ; tut pre- + Kaphael (It. Saf- 
faele), Kaphael (see def. of Preraphaelitism), + 
-ite 2 .] I. a. Pertaining to or characteristic of 
Preraphaelitism: as, Preraphaelite theories; the 
Preraphaelite school of painting. 
Every Pre-RaphaeliU landscape background is painted 
to the lust touch, in the open air, from the thing itself. 
Itusirin, Lects. on Architecture and Painting, iv. 
The Pre-Raphaelite movement is understood to have 
combined two very distinct alms : first, the intellectual 
elevation of art by the choice of noble and original sub 
jects, and, secondly, its technical advancement by a new 
and minute analysis of nature. 
P. O. Hatnerton, Thoughts about Art, xliL 
II, n. One who practises or favors Preraph- 
aelitism in art or poetry. 
The principal ground on which the Pre-Raphaelitet have 
been attacked isthechargethat they wish to bring us back 
to a time of darkness and Ignorance, when the principles 
of drawing, and of art In general, were comparatively un- 
known. Hii-kin, i.ci-t -, on Architecture and Painting, Iv. 
Preraphaelitish (pre-raf 'a-el-i-tish), a. [< Pre- 
raphaelite + -i.v/i 1 .] Inclining toward or influ- 
enced by Preraphaelitism ; modeled upon Pre- 
raphaelite principles. Londott Art Jour., No. 
56, p. 222. 
Preraphaelitism (pre-raf'a-el-i-tizm), . [= 
F. preraphaelitisme ; as Preraphaelite + -(.<;.] 
The style of painting in vogue from the time 
of Giot'to (died 1336) to that of Kaphael (a cele- 
brated Italian painter, 1483-lf>20) ; specifically, 
a modern revival of this style. The essential char, 
actcristlc of the revived style is rigid adherence to natural 
form and effect, and consequent rejection of all effort to 
elevate or heighten the effect artificially, by modifications, 
whether in drawing, arrangement, or coloring, based on 
conventional rules. The name Is also given to theappllca- 
tlon of similar principles in poetical composition, shown in 
attention to minute details. 
Pre Raphaelitimn has but one principle, that of absolute 
uncompromising truth in all tnat it does, obtained by 
working everything, down to the most minute detail, from 
nature, and from nature only. 
JtuMit, Lects. on Architecture and Painting, Iv. 
If Preraphaelitimn Is to be judged by tUchlef exponents, 
It will be seen to be primarily a protest, and not In Itself 
a Hxed creed. H'. Sharp, D. U. Kossetti, p. 61. 
The fatherand mother of modem Pre- Raphaclitim were 
modern literary thought and modern scientific Investiga- 
tion of the facts of nature. 
P. 0. Hamerton, Thoughts about Art, liii. 
prerectal (pre-rek'tal), a. [< L. pra, before, 
+ NL. rectum + -at'.] Placed in front of the 
rectum. 
preregnantt (prf-reg'nant), . [< tire- + reg- 
nant.] One who reigns before another; a pre- 
decessor in power. 
Edward, king Harold's preregnant, 
of the same changes foretold. 
Warner, Albion's England, T. 22. 
preremote(pre-re-mot'), a. [<pre- + remote.] 
More remote in previous time or prior order. 
Itr. K. Jtaririn. (Imp. Diet.) 
prerenal (pre-re'nal), a. [< L. pra, before, + 
ren, kidney: see renal.] Situated in advance 
of the kidney. 
prereptt, <: t. [< L. prareptus, pp. of prieripere, 
snatch away before another, seize beforehand, 
forestall, anticipate, < prte, before, + rapere, 
snatch: see snatch.] To forestall in seizing. 
In vayne wept Esau aftlr Jacob had prerept him his blyss- 
inge. ././,/,, Expos, of Daniel v. 
prereqnire (pre-re-kwir'), r. f. ; pret. and pp. 
/in ii</nii< il, ppr. /mm/Hiring. [< pre- + re- 
quire.] To require beforehand. 
prerogative 
Some things are pre-requind of as, to make us capable 
of the comfortable performance of so holy and heavenly a 
duty. Bp. Hall, Devout .Soul, iv. t L 
The primitive church would admit no man to the supe- 
rior orders of the clergy unless, among other prerrquired 
dispositions, they could say all Dnvid's psalter by heart. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 18S6X II. IIS. 
prerequisite (pre-rek'wi-zit), a. and n. [< pre- 
+ requisite.] f. a. Previously required; ne- 
cessary as a condition of something following. 
He only that hath the prerrguiiite qualifications shall 
have the crown. Baiter, Saints' Rest, L 3. 
II. n. A condition required beforehand; a 
preliminary necessity. 
This ls but a pre-requitite. to the main thing here re- 
quired, . . . knowledge being but a step to this turret of 
happiness. /,'"-. S. Ward, Sermons, p. 164. 
How much more justly may 1 challenge that privilege 
to do it with the same prerequuite*, from the bent and most 
judicious of Latin writers. Dryden, To Sir K. Howard. 
We have just found that the pre-rtqnMtf to Individual 
life is in a doable sense the pre reqvinte to social life. 
H. Speiuxr, Man vs. State, p. 102. 
preresolve (pre-re-zolv'), v. t.: pret. and pp. 
preresolved, ppr.preresoMng. [\pre- + resolre.] 
To resolve beforehand. 
I will debarre mine eares, mine eyes from all the rest, 
because I detest their lewdnesse; no man goes thus pre- 
retained to a play. Prynne, Ulstrio-Hastlx, II. Iv. 
I am confident you are herein preretolced as I wish. 
Sir E. Dering, Speeches, p. 143. (Latham.) 
preretina, praeretina (pre-ret'i-ntt), .; pl.- 
retiitee, preeretinee (-ne). [NL. preeretina, v L. 
prx, before, + NL. retina, retina.] The thin 
stratum of columnar nucleated cells continued 
forward from the ora serrata of the retina as 
far as the tips of the ciliary processes, where 
it gives place to the uveal pigment. Also called 
pars ciliaris retinse. 
preretinal(pre-ret'i-nal),. [< prrretina + -at.] 
Of or pertaining to the preretina. 
prerevolutionary (pre-rev-o-lu'shpn-ii-ri), a. 
[</)re-+ revolution 4- -ary. C'f. revolutionary.] 
Prior to a revolution ; sjwcincally, ]>rior to the 
American revolution. 
prerima (pre-ri'mft), w. [NL. prserinia, < L. 
prx, before. + rima. a cleft, fissure : see rin.] 
An extension of the rima in advance of the 
porta in some animals, as dipnoans. 
The rima (prerima) extends cephalad from the porta Jin 
Ceratadut]. ISuck'i Handbook ofMed. .SnViicM, VIII. 14<l. 
prerimal (pre-ri'mal), a. [< prerima + -al.] 
Of or pertaining to the prerima. 
prerogative (pre-rog'a-tiv), o. and 11. [I. a. < 
L. pr&rogatirw, that is asked before, < }>nero- 
tjatus, pp. of preerogare, ask before (another), 
< prte, before, + rogare, ask : see rogation. II. 
H. = F. prerogative = Sp. Pg. It. preroi/atira, 
< L. prterogativa, 1. (ML. also prteroyatirum, 
uetit.), a previous choice or election, a sure 
sign or token, preference, privilege, preroga- 
tive; orig. centuria prterogatira, the tribe or 
century that was asked first for its opinion (ac- 
cording to lot, in the Roman vote by comitia); 
fern. ofprwopaMetV. that is asked before: see 
above.] I. a. If. Called upon to vote first; 
having the right to vote first. 
This foredome and cholse of the prerogative centurle all 
the rest followed after, and by their suffrages conflrme. 
Holland, tr. of Livy, p. 001. 
2f. Entitled to precedence ; superior. 
The affirmative hath the prerogative illation, and bar- 
bara engrosseth the powerful demonstration. 
Sir T. Brmrne, Vulg. Err., I. 7. 
3. Pertaining to, characteristic of, or held by 
prerogative or privileged right. 
Why should we 
Tax the prerogative pleasures of our prince, 
Whom he shall grace, or where bestow his favours? 
Beau, and Fl. ('>. Faithful Friends, I. 1. 
The abbot of Tavistock . . . was In the fifth year of 
Henry V 1 1 1. made a spiritual lord of parliament by letters 
patent This Is said to have been a unique exercise of 
prerogative power. Stubbt, Const. Hist., I 430. 
Prerogative court, In Eng. late, an ecclesiastical court 
established for the trial of all testamentary cases where 
the deceased possessed at death goods above the value of 
five pounds iti each of two or more dioceses, and rmi-r 
quently where the diocesan courts could not possess ju- 
risdiction. Such a court existed both in the province of 
Canterbury and In that of Armagh. This jurisdiction was 
transferred In 1857 to the court of probate. 
The freroffative Court and the consistory courts lived 
on the testamentary and matrimonial jurisdiction. 
titubbi, Medieval and Modern Hist., p. 824. 
Prerogative writ*. In 'air, process for the commence- 
ment of certain special or extraordinary proceedings, vis. 
proctdendo, mmuamtit, prohibition, yuo >rarrantn, hateat 
corpus, cerfattrari. 
II. . It. The right of voting first; prece- 
dence in voting. 
