Part 484

Pre*fig`u*ra"tion (?), n. [L. praefiguratio.] The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured.

A variety of prophecies and prefigurations.

Norris.

Pre*fig"ur*a*tive (?), a. Showing by prefiguration. "The prefigurative atonement." Bp. Horne.

Pre*fig"ure (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefigured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefiguring.] [F. prÈfigurer, or L. praefigurare, praefiguratum; prae before + figurare to figure. See Figure, and cf. Prefigurate.] To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and similitudes; to foreshadow. "Whom all the various types prefigured." South.

Pre*fig"ure*ment (?), n. The act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is prefigured. Carlyle.

Pre*fine" (?), v. t. [L. praefinire; prae before + finire to limit, determine: cf. F. prÈfiner.] To limit beforehand. [Obs.] Knolles.

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Pre*fi"nite (?), a. [L. praefinitus, p. p.] Prearranged. [Obs.] " Set and prefinite time." Holland.

Pref`i*ni"tion (?), n. [L. praefinitio.] Previous limitation. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Pre*fix" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefixed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prefixing.] [L. praefixus, p. p. of praefigere to fix or fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. prÈfix fixed beforehand, determined, prÈfixer to prefix. See Fix.]

1. To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement.

2. To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently. [Obs.] " Prefixed bounds. " Locke.

And now he hath to her prefixt a day.

Spenser.

Pre"fix (?), n. [Cf. F. prÈfixe.] That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure.

Pre*fix"ion (?), n. [Cf. OF. prefixion.] The act of prefixing. [R.] Bailey.

Pre`flo*ra"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + L. flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.) ∆stivation.

Pre*fo`li*a"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + L. folium leaf.] (Bot.) Vernation.

Pre*form" (&?;), v. t. [L. praeformare. See Pre-, and Form.] To form beforehand, or for special ends. "Their natures and preformed faculties. " Shak.

Pre`for*ma"tion (?), n. (Biol.) An old theory of the preÎxistence of germs. Cf. EmboÓtement.

Pre*form"a*tive (?), n. A formative letter at the beginning of a word. M. Stuart.

Pre*fron"tal (?), a. (Anat. & Zoˆl.) Situated in front of the frontal bone, or the frontal region of the skull; ectethmoid, as a certain bone in the nasal capsule of many animals, and certain scales of reptiles and fishes. -- n. A prefrontal bone or scale.

Pre*ful"gen*cy (?), n. [L. praefulgens, p. pr. of praefulgere to shine forth. See Pre-, and Fulgent.] Superior brightness or effulgency. [R.] Barrow.

Pre*gage" (&?;), v. t. To preÎngage. [Obs.] Fuller.

Pre*gla"cial (?), a. (Geol.) Prior to the glacial or drift period.

Preg"na*ble (?), a., [F. prenable. See Impregnable.] Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort. [R.] Cotgrave.

Preg"nance (?), n. Pregnancy. [Obs.] Milton.