| 释义 |
pre-eminent, a.|priːˈɛmɪnənt|
Also 6–7 preh-.
[ad. L. præēminēnt-em, pr. pple. of præēminēre (contr. præm-) to project forwards, rise above, excel, f. præ, pre- A. 5 + ēminēre: see eminent. Cf. F. prééminent (15th c. in Littré).]
Eminent before or above others; excelling or surpassing others; distinguished beyond others in respect of some quality.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 7 Hauenge in possession dowerys preeminent [dotes possidet præminentes]. 1473Proclam. 10 Nov. (Patent Roll 13 Edw. IV, pt. i. m. 2), Suche persoones as god hath called to the preeminent astate of princes. 1598Barret Theor. Warres iv. i. 118 As superior and preheminent in office, he may commaund, ordaine, do, and vndo. 1667Milton P.L. viii. 279 Some great Maker..In goodness and in power præ-eminent. 1812Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 6 In all pursuits which required only the native powers of the intellect..the Greeks were pre-eminent. 1870Lubbock Orig. Civiliz. (1875) vi. 257 As an object of worship..the serpent is pre-eminent among animals.
b. in lit. sense of the Latin: Rising or standing out above the rest. rare—1.
1827H. Steuart Planter's G. (1828) 128 Accident may cut off or shorten either the Taproot, or the preeminent shoots of the top. |