adv. With ease. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
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;
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;
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.
n. [ Pref. pre- + emption: cf. F. préemption. See Redeem. ] The act or right of preemption. Specifically: