Preponderate
(Pre*pon"der*ate), v. i. To exceed in weight; hence, to incline or descend, as the scale of
a balance; figuratively, to exceed in influence, power, etc.; hence; to incline to one side; as, the affirmative
side preponderated.
That is no just balance in which the heaviest side will not preponderate.
Bp. Wilkins. Preponderatingly
(Pre*pon"der*a`ting*ly) adv. In a preponderating manner; preponderantly.
Preponderation
(Pre*pon`der*a"tion) n. [L. praeponderatio.] The act or state of preponderating; preponderance; as,
a preponderation of reasons. I. Watts.
Prepose
(Pre*pose") v. t. [F. préposer; pref. pré- (L. prae before) + poser. See Pose.] To place or
set before; to prefix. [Obs.] Fuller.
Preposition
(Prep`o*si"tion) n. [L. praepositio, fr. praeponere to place before; prae before + ponere
to put, place: cf. F. préposition. See Position, and cf. Provost.]
1. (Gram.) A word employed to connect a noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with
some other word; a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to
make a phrase limiting some other word; — so called because usually placed before the word with which
it is phrased; as, a bridge of iron; he comes from town; it is good for food; he escaped by running.
2. A proposition; an exposition; a discourse. [Obs.]
He made a long preposition and oration.
Fabyan. Prepositional
(Prep`o*si"tion*al) a. [Cf. F. prépositionnel.] Of or pertaining to a preposition; of the nature
of a preposition. Early. — Prep`o*si"tion*al*ly, adv.
Prepositive
(Pre*pos"i*tive) a. [L. praepositivus: cf. F. prépositif.] (Gram.) Put before; prefixed; as, a
prepositive particle. — n. A prepositive word. Tooke.
Prepositor
(||Pre*pos"i*tor) n. [NL.] A scholar appointed to inspect other scholars; a monitor. Todd.
Prepositure
(Pre*pos"i*ture) n. [L. praepositura. See Preposition, and cf. Provost.] The office or
dignity of a provost; a provostship. Lowth.
Prepossess
(Pre`pos*sess") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prepossessed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prepossessing.]
1. To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of. Dryden.
2. To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give
a previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the
outset.
It created him enemies, and prepossessed the lord general.
Evelyn. Prepossessing
(Pre`pos*sess"ing) a. Tending to invite favor; attracting confidence, favor, esteem, or
love; attractive; as, a prepossessing manner. — Pre`pos*sess"ing*ly, adv.
Prepossession
(Pre`pos*ses"sion) n.
1. Preoccupation; prior possession. Hammond.
2. Preoccupation of the mind by an opinion, or impression, already formed; preconceived opinion; previous
impression; bias; — generally, but not always, used in a favorable sense; as, the prepossessions of childhood.
"The prejudices and prepossessions of the country." Sir W. Scott.
