pre-, prae-

1. Descriptive of a medication that is given prior to the injection of a drug that will result in a total loss of bodily sensations: The anesthetist gave a preanesthetic drug to Patricia in order to reduce her anxiety and apprehension and to facilitate the induction of a general anesthesia before her operation was to take place.
2. A reference to the provision of a medical substance to develop a reduction in a patient's consciousness: Dr. Bowes, the anesthesiologist, recommended the use of a preanesthetic drug prior to administering the normal anesthetic for Dick's's major surgery.

To organise something in advance of the occurrence: Sally and her two friends prearranged to get together for lunch on the first Saturday of the month.

In law, the right to be heard before another, a privilege belonging to the English legal system, the members of which are entitled to be heard in their order, according to rank, beginning with the Attorney and Solicitor General, and Queen's Counsel, and ending with barristers at large: In the courtroom, the lawyer for the defence called for a preaudience in order to speak first before the judge.

Descriptive of the part of the auditory structure which consists of the flap of the ear structure between the opening and the cheek: Hazel had a piercing on the preauricular part on her right hearing orifice.

Regarding something which happens before the entrance of bacilli into the system, or before they are discovered: The prebacillary tests done in the farmer's field did not reveal any source for the bacteria known to cause anthrax.

A reference to the period before the existence of life on earth: For his dissertation at university, Pablo wrote about the more prebiotic conditions on the third planet from the sun, describing such things as gases and explosions.

To invalidate the postage stamp on an envelope or package as paid prior to mailing it to the addressee: The Post Mistress precanceled the parcel for Mrs. Johnson before putting it into the bin for shipping.

A stamp that has been marked as paid for prior to it being placed on an envelope or parcel, etc.: As an esoteric dimension of philately, the collection of precancellation is very interesting.

A condition which tends eventually to become malignant: Mr. Ball was depressed with the news of the precancer that had been detected in his colon.

Pertaining to an abnormal tissue development that may lead to a malignant condition: The doctor was concerned about the precancerous growth of the patient's nose and recommended surgical removal.

1. An action exercised beforehand to provide against mischief or to secure good results; prudent foresight: The children were taught normal precautions about crossing streets.
2. A caveat given before danger actually threatens: The engineer issued a precaution to the workers to wear specialised boots when on the new worksite.

Descriptive of an activity undertaken to prevent or to avoid an incident or accident: Waiting for the crossing signal as a pedestrian is an appropriate precautious action to avoid a casualty.

Descriptive of how someone uses or takes preventative or safety measures: The lawyer acted precautiously on behalf of her client to eliminate the possibility of any unfortunate follow-up response.

1. To come, go, be, or happen before someone or something else in time, position, or importance: In a parade, the band always precedes the fancy floats.
2. To say or to do something prior to something else: In his speeches, the mayor always preceded his main theme with several jokes to make people laugh.
3. To be higher in order or rank; to surpass or to outrank: In organisations such as school boards, the principal typically precedes the teachers in importance.
4. To go in advance of; to lead: The star of the movie was preceding the others when she entered the auditorium where the movie awards were being given out.
5. To preface; to introduce: The author preceded her lecture with a funny anecdote.

1. A status established in order of importance or urgency: There is a particular precedence established among the professors at the university.
2. A relative importance in rank and status that determines something, such as the order in which participants are placed in a formal situation: When the actor uttered the words, "stand not upon the order of your leaving", the reference was to the precedence among those attending.
3. The right or need to be dealt with before someone or something else, or to be treated as more important than somebody or something else: The bossy customer in the store acted as if she deserved precedence over everyone else in the store.
4. The fact of being more important than others: This concept of precedence has always created a struggle for Carol who tries to be egalitarian in all her dealings with others.