Part 482

Pref`a*to"ri*al (?), a. Prefatory.

Pref"a*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In a prefatory manner; by way of preface.

Pref"a*to*ry (?), a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.

That prefatory addition to the Creed.

Dryden.

Pre"fect (?), n. [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. prÈfet.] 1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation. [France] Brande & C.

3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.

Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank. Shipley.

Pre`fec*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a prefect.

Pre"fect*ship (?), n. The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.

Pre"fec*ture (?; 277), n. [L. praefectura: cf. F. prÈfecture.] The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.

Pre*fec`un*da"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) A term collectively applied to the changes or conditions preceding fecundation, especially to the changes which the ovum undergoes before fecundation.

Pre`fe*cun"da*to*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to prefecundation.

Pre*fer" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preferred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preferring.] [F. prÈfÈrer, L. praeferre; prae before + ferre to bear or carry. See 1st Bear.] 1. To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.

He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl.

Pope.

Presently prefer his suit to CÊsar.

Shak.

Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high.

Byron.

2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass. [Obs.] "Though maidenhood prefer bigamy." Chaucer.

3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.

I would prefer him to a better place.

Shak.

4. To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed by to, before, or above.

If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Ps. cxxxvii. 6.