preexist
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pre·ex·ist
(prē′ĭg-zĭst′)v. pre·ex·ist·ed, pre·ex·ist·ing, pre·ex·ists
v.tr.
To exist before (something); precede: Dinosaurs preexisted humans.
v.intr.
To exist beforehand.
pre′ex·is′tence n.
pre′ex·is′tent adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pre•ex•ist
or pre-ex•ist
(ˌpri ɪgˈzɪst)v.i.
1. to exist beforehand.
v.t. 2. to antedate; precede.
[1590–1600]
pre`ex•ist′ence, n.
pre`ex•ist′ent, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Verb | 1. | preexist - exist beforehand or prior to a certain point in time; "Did this condition pre-exist?" |
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