pre-existv.
/ˌpriːᵻɡˈzɪst/, /ˌpriːɛɡˈzɪst/, U.S. /ˌpriᵻɡˈzɪst/, /ˌpriɛɡˈzɪst/ 1.
a. intransitive. To exist before, or at an earlier time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)] > exist previously or after
pre-exist1585
post-exist1678
1585 R. Bostocke Difference Aunc. & Latter Phisicke sig. **** God, which of nothing, that is hauing no matter, preexisting, or goying before, hast created al the world.
1642 tr. W. Ames Marrow Sacred Divinity viii. 36 Creation then produceth out of nothing, that is, out of matter that doth not præexist.
1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing 155 Did it [sc. the Peripatetic Philosophy] suppose any thing of the form to pre-exist in the matter, as the seminal of its being.
1788 J. Madison Federalist Papers l. 114 Some at least of its [sc. the council's] most active members, had also been active..in the parties which pre-existed in the state.
1815 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1959) IV. 581 The noblest parts of our Book of Common Prayer..had pre-existed in the Mass-book.
1854 R. Owen Struct. Skeleton & Teeth in Orr's Circle Sci.: Org. Nature I. 165 The inorganic salts, defined in the tabular view of the composition of bone, pre-exist in the blood.
1904 H. James Golden Bowl II. xxxi. 130 I was aware at the time of his marriage..of the relations that had pre-existed between his wife and her husband.
1989 Toronto Star (Nexis) 25 Mar. e14 It [sc. couch grass] most often comes in with imported topsoil, or pre-existed in the soil you sowed seed in.
2004 New Media Age (Nexis) 27 May 17 All intellectual property rights which pre-existed before the funded project remained with the relevant owner.
b. transitive. To exist before or earlier than (something).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (transitive)] > exist before
pre-exist1779
1779 Ann. Reg. 1778 Nat. Hist. 106/1 Inhabited by a nation, that pre-existed the formation of the marine hills.
1809 F. Plowden Hist. Ireland: Henry II to Union I. 83 We shall rest contented in quoting authors, who pre-existed any controversy upon the subject.
1885 Westm. Rev. Jan. 27 It is necessary that the facts should pre-exist the theory.
1937 Michigan Law Rev. 36 68 (heading) Where the defect or lack of title pre-exists the contract.
1991 J. Fulton Trag. of Belief (BNC) 96 It tends to reproduce relationships which pre-exist its intervention.
2. intransitive. Of a soul, consciousness, etc.: to exist before birth. Also occasionally transitive. Cf. pre-existence n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)] > exist previously or after > before the present life
pre-exist1598
1598 I. D. tr. L. Le Roy Aristotles Politiques i. iii. 29 The which minde they supposed to be everlasting, not beginning with birth, but preexisting from eternitie.
1647 H. More Philos. Poems 276 But that in some sort souls do præexist Seems to right reason nothing dissonant.
1699 Bp. G. Burnet Expos. 39 Articles (1700) ix. 110 They..fancied that all our Souls pre-existed in a former and purer state.
1737 T. Burnett Script. Doctr. Redempt. of World 28 Our Saviour's Soul did pre-exist his Body.
1773 R. Elliot Divine Revelation v. 77 If Christ's human spirit did not pre-exist..he cannot be said to be the same yesterday, &c.
1861 H. Mann Twelve Sermons 178 I did not pre-exist to give direction or counsel how I should be originally made.
1899 J. Stalker Christol. of Jesus ii. 62 The ‘Son of Man’ pre-exists with the ‘Ancient of Days’.
1976 A. J. Toynbee & D. Ikeda Choose Life III. x. 253 Hindus hold..that the soul has preexisted for an infinite length of time before birth.
1999 Canada & World Backgrounder (Nexis) Dec. Insert 3 Mormons also believe that before being born, we pre-exist in Heaven with God, as a spirit being, and go through a period of learning.
3. intransitive. To exist ideally, theoretically, or in abstract, before material embodiment.
ΚΠ
1775 J. Harris Philos. Arrangem. vi. 112 As there are no Forms of Art, which did not pre-exist in the Mind of Man, so are there no Forms of Nature, which did not pre-exist in the Mind of God.
1839 H. W. Longfellow Hyperion II. iii. v Art preëxists in Nature, and Nature is reproduced in Art.
1871 D. P. Kidder Christian Pastorate 215 As dependent on human instrumentality, they must pre-exist in the conception, in the desire, and in the determination of him who would bring them to pass.
1922 A. A. Goldenweiser Early Civilisation 168 These media are utilized for the representation of a design, realistic or geometrical in nature, which pre-exists in the mind of the artist.
1982 J. Giedymin Sci. & Convent. p. ix In our minds the latent idea of a number of groups pre-exists.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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