| 释义 |
▪ I. pre-contract, n.|priːˈkɒntrækt|
Also 7 præ-.
[f. pre- A. 2 + contract n.]
A pre-existing contract; a contract or agreement previously entered into: a. of marriage.
1483Rolls of Parlt. VI. 241/1 Oone Dame Elianor Butteler,..with whome the same King Edward had made a precontracte of matrimonie. 1540Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 38 (title) An act concernyng precontractes of mariages. 1603Shakes. Meas. for M. iv. i. 72 Nor gentle daughter, feare you not at all: He is your husband on a pre-contract. 1657–8in Burton's Diary (1828) II. 337 The law lies very loose as to things that are naturally essential to marriages, as to pre-contracts and dissolving of marriages. 1765Blackstone Comm. I. xv. 434 Of this nature are pre-contract; consanguinity, or relation by blood; and affinity, or relation by marriage. 1878Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 224 Edward being already bound by a pre-contract of marriage to the lady Eleanor Butler.
b. in general sense.
1610Donne Pseudo-martyr 125 The King of Spaine had very many subiects in that Order, to whom no other Prince pretended any such precontract or interest. 1649G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IV, ccclxxiii, They are never safe Who weare their Titles by a Præ-contract In Treason. 1821Scott Kenilw. v, Lawyers..to draw his contracts, his pre⁓contracts, and his post-contracts, and to find the way to make the most of grants of church lands, and commons, and licenses for monopoly. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xvi. III. 704 The Presbyterian nonjurors..held that their country was under a precontract to the Most High, and could never..enter into any engagement inconsistent with that precontract.
▪ II. pre-contract, v.|priːkənˈtrækt|
Also 7 præ-.
[f. pre- A. 1 + contract v.]
1. trans.
a. To engage (a person) in a previous contract of marriage; to affiance or betroth beforehand.
b. To establish (an agreement, etc.) by contract in advance.
c. To acquire or form (habits, etc.) beforehand. Hence pre-conˈtracted ppl. a.
1579–80North Plutarch (1676) 639 This Lepida had been pre-contracted unto Metellus Scipio. 1611Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girle D.'s Wks. 1873 III. 209 Deere husband, pardon me, I did dissemble, Told thee I was his precontracted wife. 1631Vicars Eng. Hallelujah Ps. cv. vii, That Cou'nant-good, once præ-contracted To Abraham and Isaacs Seed. 1768–74Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 613 If they would employ their talents sincerely for the public good, in preference to any private views or favourite schemes or pre-contracted prejudices. 1819Life & Death Jas. V of Scot. 122 Notwithstanding she had been pre-contracted to Frederic, elector palatine of the Rhine. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. I. ii. 167 Nor could a contract with Percy have invalidated her marriage with the king..Percy having been pre-contracted to another person.
2. intr. To enter into a contract beforehand; to agree or arrange in advance.
1638Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 88 Having precontracted with Beyrambeg and Darab-chawn, to seize him. |