英语词汇词典 | 单词含义、定义和示例
Having superior strength, influence, or authority; most common or noticeable.
"The predominant color in the painting is blue."
mainly; for the most part
"The population in the city is predominantly young."
To be the strongest, most common, or most influential element.
"Traditional values still predominate in the community."
The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.
"The university has gained preeminence in medical research."
Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.
"She is a preeminent scientist in the field of genetics."
To take action in order to prevent something from happening; to take the place of something.
"The government acted quickly to preempt a financial crisis."
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
"The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors."
Serving or intended to prevent something by taking action first.
"The government took preemptive measures to control inflation."
To groom or dress oneself with care; to show pride in one's appearance.
"She preened in front of the mirror before leaving for the party."
To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.
"The workers were preengaged before the project officially started."
To establish or set up beforehand.
"Certain rules were preestablished before the meeting."
to exist beforehand or before something else
"These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology."
the state of existing before something else
"Philosophers often debated the preexistence of the soul."
an introduction to a book, speech, or other written work
"The author explained his motivation in the preface."
serving as an introduction or preface
"He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began."
to like one thing better than another
"I prefer tea over coffee in the morning."
more desirable or suitable; better than something else
"It is preferable to take the train rather than drive in heavy traffic."
a greater liking for one alternative over another
"She has a preference for tea over coffee."
showing or giving advantage to one over others
"Members receive preferential treatment at the club."
promotion or advancement in rank, position, or office
"He hoped for preferment in the government office."
to represent, show, or foreshadow something in advance
"The economic reforms prefigure major social changes."
a word, letter, or number placed before another; as a verb, to add something in front of something else
"Developers often prefix variables with an underscore."
the condition of being pregnant; the period during which a woman carries a developing fetus
"Her pregnancy was carefully monitored by her doctor."
having a child developing in the womb; also, full of meaning or significance
"She announced that she was three months pregnant."
capable of being grasped or seized
"The tool has a prehensible handle that improves safety."
adapted for seizing or grasping, especially by wrapping around an object
"The monkey used its prehensile tail to hang from the branch."
the act of grasping or seizing; the ability to take hold of something
"Therapists assessed the patient's prehension during hand therapy."
Belonging to the time before written records.
"The prehistoric era was marked by the rise of early humans."
An unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge.
"Prejudice often prevents people from seeing the truth about others."
having or showing a dislike or bias against a person or group without proper reason
"He was prejudiced against people from other regions."
The office, dignity, or system of church government by prelates.
"The medieval church was dominated by prelacy and its traditions."
A high-ranking member of the clergy, especially a bishop or abbot.
"The prelate delivered a sermon to the congregation."
happening before something that is more important; introductory or preparatory
"The team held a preliminary meeting to discuss the project."
An action, event, or statement that serves as an introduction to something more important.
"The small fight was only a prelude to a bigger conflict."
Happening or done before the usual or proper time.
"His decision to quit the job was premature."
to think about and plan something (especially a crime) beforehand
"The suspect was accused of premeditating the crime."
planned in advance; done deliberately
"The crime was clearly premeditated."
the head of government in some countries; first in importance or rank
"The French premier addressed the nation."
a statement or idea on which reasoning or an argument is based; also a building or property
"His argument was based on a false premise."
an amount of money paid regularly for an insurance policy; something of superior quality or value
"You need to pay your insurance premium every year."
a strong feeling that something is about to happen, often something negative
"She had a premonition of danger before the trip."
giving a warning or prediction about something, especially something unpleasant
"He ignored the premonitory signs of illness."
The state of being engrossed or absorbed in thought about something.
"Her preoccupation with work left her little time for family."
To dominate or engross the mind of someone to the exclusion of other thoughts.
"Worries about the future preoccupy him constantly."
To decide or determine an outcome in advance, especially by fate or divine will.
"They believed their meeting was preordained by destiny."
The act of getting ready or making arrangements for something.
"The team made careful preparation for the presentation."
Serving as preparation or preliminary before the main event.
"They held a preparatory meeting before the main conference."
to make ready or suitable in advance for a particular purpose or event
"She will prepare dinner before the guests arrive."
made ready in advance; having made plans or taken steps beforehand
"She was fully prepared for the final exam."
The quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.
"There was a preponderance of evidence against the defendant."
