prest 
2. Formerly, a duty in money paid by the 
sheriff on his account in the exchequer, or for 
money left or remaining in his hands. Cornell. 
To give in prestt, to give as prest-money ; hence, to 
pay, give, or lend (money) in advance. 
He >ent thyder three Miners (baggage-horses) laden wt 
nobles of Cartel and floreyns, to yyue in prest to knyghtes 
and siiuyers, for he knewe well otherwyse he sholdc not 
hnue tliOin come out of theyr houses. 
Btrntn, tr. of Frolaurt'i Chron., II. Ixiv 
prest^ (prest), a. [< ME. prest. prest, < OF. 
prest, F. pret = Pr. prest = Sp. Pg. It. presto, 
ready, < ML. prtestux, ready, < L. preesto, adv., 
at hand, ready, present, here, < pree, before, + 
store, stand. Cr. prest'*.] 1. Ready; prompt; 
quick. 
He Is the prerttst payer that pore men knoweth. 
Fieri Plouman (B), v. 558. 
I am oral to fette hym when yow llste. 
Chaucer, Troilus, 111. 917. 
Cursed Dionyza hath 
The pregnant Instrument of wrath 
Prest for this blow. 
Shak., Pericles, iv., Prol., 1. 45. 
Well, well, 111 meet ye anon, then tell you more, boys; 
However, stand prepar'd, prat for our Journey. 
Fletcher, Wildgoose Chase, v. 2. 
2. At hand; near. 
.Set me whereas the sunne doth parch the greene, 
< >r where his beanies do not disjoint: the yce : 
In temperate heate where he Is felt and seene, 
In presence prat of people mad or wise. 
I'liiifiihaiii, Arle of Eng. Poesle, p. 188. 
Berdys ther sange on bowhes prest. 
Robin Hood and the Potter (Child's Ballads, V. 29). 
3. Bold; valiant. 
Pansanias a prls King none prester ifounde. 
Alisaunder of Mated trine (E. E. T. S.), 1. 1218. 
4. Neat; comely; proper. 
More people, more handsome and prest, 
Where flnd ye? Tusser, 
prest 3 t (prest), adv. [ME., < prest 3 , a.] Quick- 
ly ; promptly ; immediately. 
Princes of this palys pregt vndo the sates, 
For here cometn with coroune the kynge of alle glorie. 
Piers Plouman (C), rxi. 274. 
prest 4 t, n. A Middle English form of priest. 
prestable (pres'ta-bl), . [< prest 2 + -able.] 
Payable; capableof beingmadegood. [Scotch.] 
prestant (pres'tant), w. [< L. pnesta>i(t-)s, ppr. 
of jirxxtare, stand before : see prcsft, t 1 .] The 
open diapason of a pipe-organ. 
prestationt (pres-ta'snon), n. [< F. prestation 
= Sp. prestacion = Pgi ' prestai; So = It. presta- 
zione, < L. prxstatio(n-), a warranty, a payment 
of something due, < priestare, pp. prsestatus, be 
surety for: see presW.] A pi'esting or pay- 
ment of money : sometimes used for purvey- 
ance, t'owell. 
Those grants he clogged with heavy feudal services and 
payments or prentatiorut which no one dared refuse. 
Russell, Hist. Modem Europe, I. 290. 
prester 1 (pros'ter), . [< ME. prester, < OF. 
prcstre, F. prctrc, priest : eee priest, presbyter.'] 
A priest: often used in old writers as the title 
of a supposed Christian king and priest (I'rester 
John) of a medieval kingdom. The belief in the 
existence of such a ruler in some undetermined part of 
Asia appeared in the twelfth century. From the four- 
teenth century the seat of the supposed Prester John was 
placed in Abyssinia, and this belief was held down to the 
close of the middle ages. 
In the Eastsydeof Afrike, beneth the redde sea, dwell- 
etn the greate and myghtve Emperour and Chrystlan 
kynge Prester lohan, well knowen to the Portugales in 
theyr vyages to Calicut. 
/;. Eden (Klrst Books on America, ed. Arber, p. 374). 
More than twenty years later, when the first book on 
Abyssinia was composed that of Alvarez the title con- 
stantly and as a matter of course designating the king of 
Abyssinia Is "Prester John," or simply "the Pratt." 
Encye. Brit., XIX. 718. 
prester 2 t (pres'ter), n. [< Or. nptiaTw, a meteor, 
a lightning-flash, < jr/if/Otiv, blow up, blow up 
into flame/) A meteor. 
presternal (pre-ster'nal), . [< prtesternum + 
-a/.] 1. Of or pertaining to the pnesternum: 
as, prestermil bone; presternal region. 2. In 
i :ii'n, i.. game as proxtrrnal. PresternaJ muscle. 
Same as itrrnalu. 
presternum, . SeeprotaniMfc 
prestezza (nrcs-tet'sii), . [It, quickness, < 
l-i * In, quick : see pri-sfi and presto.'] In music, 
((uickuessof movement or execution; rapidity. 
prestidigital (prcs-ti-dij'i-tal), a. [< praw- 
dii/itiation) + -<il (after tlii/ilal).] Engaged in 
prestidigitation: siiiti-<l or qualified for leger- 
demain. [Rare.] 
The first his honest hard-working hand the second his 
three-angered Jack, his pretOdifftial hand. 
< l:j e , Never too LU> to Mend, rl. 
4710 
prestidigitation (pres-ti-dij-i-ta'shon), . [<F. 
/in xti/lii/itdtion, an altered form (as if 'dexter- 
ous fingering,' < L. preesto, at hand, ready, + 
ilii/itug, a finger, + -ation) of prestigiation: see 
prestiyiation.] Legerdemain; sleight of hand; 
prestigiation ; the performance of feats requir- 
ing dexterity and skill ; particularly of the fin- 
gers ; hence, juggling in general. 
prestidigitator (pres-ti-dij'i-ta-tgr), n. [< F. 
prestidigitatetir ; < prestidigitation) + -or 1 .] 
One who practises prestidigitation; a presti- 
giator; a juggler. 
prestige (pres-tzh' or pres'tij), . [< P. pres- 
tige = Sp. Pg. prestigio = It. prestigio, prestigia, 
illusion, fascination, enchantment, prestige, < 
L. preestigium, a delusion, an illusion; ct.pree- 
stigiie, deception, jugglers' tricks, < prsestin- 
guerc, obscure, extinguish, < prat, before, + 
stinguere, extinguish : see distinguish, etc.] It. 
Illusion; juggling trick; fascination; charm; 
imposture. 
The sophisms of infidelity and the prestiges of impos- 
ture. Warburton, Works, IX. v. 
2. An illusion as to one's personal merit or 
importance, particularly a flattering illusion ; 
hence, a reputation for excellence, importance, 
or authority ; weight or influence arising from 
reputation. 
Mr. Qulncy had the moral firmness which enabled him 
to decline a duel without any loss of personal prestige. 
LoweU, Study Windows, p. 108. 
Unless a man can get the prestiye and income of a Don, 
and write donnish books, it s hardly worth while for him 
to make a Greek and Latin machine of himself. 
George EKnt, Daniel Deronda, xvl. 
prestigiate (pres-tij'i-at). r. t. [< L. pree#tigia- 
tns, pp. of jtrsestigiare, deceive by juggling tricks, 
< preestiijix, deceptions, jugglers' feats: see 
prestige.] To deceive as by an illusion or jug- 
glers' trick. [Rare.] 
The wisest way. when all is said, is with all humility 
and feare to take Christ as hlmselfe hath revealed him- 
selfe in his Gospel, and not as the Devill presents him to 
prettiffiated phansies. At. Ward, Simple Cobler, p. 18. 
prestigiation (pres-tij-i-a'shon), n. [< F. *pres- 
tigintion (later prestidigitation : see prestidigi- 
tation), < L. prsestigiarc, pp. prststigiatus, de- 
ceive by juggling tricks: see prcstigiate .] The 
playing of legerdemain tricks ; a trick of leger- 
demain; juggling; sleight of hand. [Rare.] 
What a multitude of examples are there in good authen- 
tic authors of divers kinds of fascinations, incantations, 
prestiyiatianf .' llwceU. Letters, Hi. 23. 
prestigiator (pres-tij'i-a-tor), w. [< F. preati- 
giateur (Cotgrave), < L. prtestigiator, a juggler, 
an impostor, < prsestigiare, deceive by juggling 
tricks: see prestigiate. Cf. prestidigitator.] A 
juggler; a cheat. 
This en lining prestirnator (the devil] took the advantage 
of so high a place to set off his representations the more 
lively. Dr. H. ilore, Mystery of Godliness (1660), p. 106. 
prestigiatoryt (pres-tij'i-a-to-ri), a. [< presti- 
giate + -on/.] Juggling; consisting of tricks 
or impostures. 
We have an art call'd prxttiyiatory, 
That deals with spirits, and Intelligences 
Of meaner office and condition. 
T. Tomtit ('.'), Albumazar, L 7. 
prestigioust (pres-tij'us), a. [< F. prestigieux 
= Sp/Pg. It. prestiyiono, < LL. prsestigiosun, full 
of deceitful tricks, delusive, < L. preestigite, jug- 
glers' tricks, illusions : see prestige .] 1. Prac- 
tising legerdemain; juggling; deluding. 
But, of all the preternatural things which befel these 
people, there were none more unaccountable than those 
wherein the prestigious dtrmons would ever now and then 
cover the most corporeal things in the world with a fas- 
cinating mist of invisibility. C. Mather, Mag. Chris., 11. 13. 
2. Performed by prestidigitation ; illusory; de- 
ceptive. 
Who only swcld thee with vain-glorious pride. 
Devising strange prrstitrioux tricks beside, 
Only to draw me from thee. 
llrinn*l. Dialogues (Works, ed. Pearson, 1874, VI. 180). 
prestimony (pres'ti-mo-ui), B. [= F. prestimo- 
nie = Kp. Pg. prestimonio, < ML. preentimonium, 
an appropriated fund, < L. preextare, warrant, 
discharge: see presft.] In canon lair, a fund 
for the support of a priest, appropriated by the 
founder, but not erected into any title or bene- 
fice, and not subject to the Pope or the ordi- 
nary, the patron being the collator. Imp. Itict. 
prestissimo (pres-tis'i-mo), adv. [It., superl. 
of presto, q. v.J In nni.~ii\ very quickly ; in the 
iMii^t rapiii tempo. 
prestlyt (prest'lii, adr. [< MK. jirrxtlii, iirexlr- 
/;/, firixthrln. I'rixtli/. < /<n >/'' + -?//-.] 1. Hast- 
ily: quickly: promptly; eagerly. 
presume 
Pratil> with al that puple to Pslerne the! went. 
n'illiam of Palernt (E. E. T. S.), 1. 6309. 
Then lhe| leues the lede, and of londe paste 
To Pelleus printly. 
Destruction o/ Troy (E. E. T. ), 1. 1043. 
2. Earnestly; firmly. 
Madame, moume je namore; je mow wel sele 
That the prince of heuen 3011 hath prettii in mynde, 
& socor sendeth sou sone. 
William of Palenu (E. E. T. 
1. 2926. 
Now full pristlu I pray to my prise goddes 
'Hint I may see thee come sounde to this sale enys, 
And me comford of thy coursse, kepe I no more. 
Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. &X I. 87*. 
Therfore pristly I vow praye 
That ye will of youre talkyng My n. 
Thomat oj Kraelduune (Child's Ballads, I. 97). 
prest-money (prest'mun'i), t. Money paid to 
men when they enlist in the British service: 
so called because it binds those who receive it 
to be prest or ready at all times appointed. 
Also press-money. Imp. Viet. 
presto (pres'to), adr. [< It. presto, quick, 
quickly: see prest 3 .] 1. Quickly; immediate- 
ly; innaste. 
Oni. Well, you'll come? 
Jan. Presto. B. Junton, Case Is Altered, I. 1. 
2. Ill music, quick; in rapid tempo. 
presto (pres'to), n. [< presto, adr.] In music, 
a passage in quick tempo. 
prestomial (pre-sto'mi-al), a. [Also prtesto- 
mial; < pnestomium + -al.] Of or pertaining 
to the prspstomium. 
prestomium, . See pnestomium. 
prestriction (pre-strik'shon), n. [< LL. prte- 
.ttrictio(n-), a binding fast, < L. preestringere, 
pp. preestrictus, bind fast, tie up, also blind, 
obscure, < pree, before, + stringere, draw or tie 
tight: see stringent.] Blinding: blindness. 
Tis fear'd you have Balaams disease, a peorle in your 
eye, Mammons Prsestriction. 
Milton, On Def. of lliiinK Remonst 
prestudy (pre-stud'i), r. t.; pret. and pp. pre- 
stitdied. ppr. prcstudying. [< pre- + study.] 
To study beforehand. 
He ... never broached what he had new brewed, but 
preached what he had pre-studied some competent time 
before. Fuller, Worthies, Cambridge, 1. 240. 
presultor (pre-sul'tor), H. [< LL. prtesultur, one 
who dances before others, < L. "preesilire (a 
false reading f or prosilire), leap or dance before, 
< i>nr, before. + salire, leap, bound: see salient.] 
A leader or director of a dance. [Rare.] 
The Coryphams of the world, or the precentor and pre- 
sultor of it. Cwlirtirtli, Intellectual System, p. S97. 
presumable (pre-7.u'ma-bl), a. [< presume + 
-able.] Capable of being presumed or taken 
for granted; such as may be supposed to be 
true or entitled to belief without examination 
or direct evidence, or on probable evidence. 
It Is now the presumable duty, imposed by law upon the 
Clergy, of themselves to alter their practice. 
Gladstone, Gleanings of Fast Years, I. 90. 
presumably (pre-zu'ma-bli), ndr. As may be 
presumed or reasonably supposed; by or accord- 
ing to presumption; by legitimate inference 
from facts or circumstances. 
presume (pre-zum'), r. ; pret. and pp. presumed, 
ppr. presuming. [< ME. presumen, < OF. pre- 
sumer, F. presumer= Pr. Sp. Pg. presumir = It. 
presvmere, < L. preesumere, take before or be- 
forehand, take to oneself, anticipate, take for 
granted, presume, < pree, before, -f- sumere. 
take: see assume, and cf. consume, resume.] 
I. trans. 1. To take upon one's self; under- 
take; venture; dare: generally with an infini- 
tive as object. 
He or they that presumen to doo the contrarle. ss often 
tyme as they be founden in defaute, to pare XX. s. 
EnyluJi Gilds (K.K. T. S.\ p. 883. 
Death, I feel . presumeth 
To change this life of mine Into a new. 
Thmna* Stukely (Child's Ballads, VII. 312). 
Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve. 
Milton, f. I , Is. 921. 
As soon ss the sermon is finished, nobody jiresumet to 
stir till .Sir Roger Is gone out of the church. 
n, Sir Roger at Church. 
There was a time when I would have chastened your 
insolence, f or preruminff thus to spitcnr lirfori* me. 
QoUmith, Vicar, xxlv. 
2. To believe or accept upon probable evi- 
dence ; infer as probable ; take for granted. 
Presume not that I am the thing I was. 
Shot., 2 Hen IV., v. r.. m. 
Master Koxc mentloneth, in his Book of Martyrs, that 
nni iii the street crying "Kirn, fire," the whole assembly 
in >i. Mary's. In Oxford, nt one Mallaiy'a recantation, pre- 
ntmtd It to be In the church. 
Kn. T. Adanu, Works, III. 60. 
