| 释义 |
pre-existent, a.|priːɛgˈzɪstənt|
Also 7 præ-.
[f. pre- A. 3 + existent; cf. F. pré-existant (15th c.).]
Existing beforehand, or before some person, thing, event, etc.
1624Gataker Transubst. 149 [That] the whole substance..of bread passeth into a præexistent substance, to wit, Christ's body. a1653Gouge Comm. Heb. xi. 31 There was no preexistent matter, whereof they were made. 1702Echard Eccl. Hist. (1710) 147 According to the Jewish notion of souls sinning in some pre-existent state. 1879Athenæum 19 July 83/1 Not incapable of being harmoniously combined with pre-existent beliefs. |