n. (Gram.) The preterit; also, a word in the preterit tense. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. praeteritus, p. p. of praeterire to go or pass by; praeter beyond, by + ire to go: cf. F. prétérit. See Issue. ]
Things and persons as thoroughly preterite as Romulus or Numa. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. & n. Same as Preterit. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Same as Preteritness. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. praeteritio: cf. F. prétérition. ]
a. (Gram.) Used only or chiefly in the preterit or past tenses, as certain verbs. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being past. Bentley. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]