[ L. praeter past, beyond, originally a compar. of prae before. See For, prep. ] A prefix signifying past, by, beyond, more than;
a. [ Pref. preter- + human. ] More than human. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. praeteriens, p. pr. See Preterit. ] Passed through; antecedent; previous;
a. & n. [ Pref. preter- + imperfect. ] (Gram.) Old name of the tense also called
n. [ Pref. preter- + -ist. ]
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. ]