Preexist: meaning, definitions and examples

🕰️
Add to dictionary

preexist

 

[ priːˈɛzɪst ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

exist before

To preexist means to exist or occur before something else. This term is often used in philosophical or theological discussions to describe entities or ideas that are believed to have existed prior to other entities or events. In a more general sense, it refers to any situation where one thing is present or active before another.

Synonyms

antedate, exist beforehand, precede

Examples of usage

  • These laws preexist our current legal system.
  • The concept of the soul is said to preexist physical form in some belief systems.
  • Many believe that certain truths preexist their discovery.
  • The traditions in this culture preexist written history.

Translations

Translations of the word "preexist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preexistir

🇮🇳 पूर्व अस्तित्व में होना

🇩🇪 vorhanden sein

🇮🇩 ada lebih dulu

🇺🇦 преіснувати

🇵🇱 przedistnieć

🇯🇵 先行する

🇫🇷 préalable

🇪🇸 preexistir

🇹🇷 önceden var olmak

🇰🇷 미리 존재하다

🇸🇦 توجد مسبقًا

🇨🇿 předexistovat

🇸🇰 predexistovať

🇨🇳 先存

🇸🇮 predexistirati

🇮🇸 fyrirhuga

🇰🇿 алдын ала бар болу

🇬🇪 წინასწარმეტყველება

🇦🇿 mövcud olmaq

🇲🇽 preexistir

Word origin

The term 'preexist' originates from the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' in Latin and the Latin word 'existere', which translates as 'to exist'. The combination reflects the concept of existing prior to an event, state, or condition. This term began to see usage in English literature in the late 19th century, particularly in philosophical and theological contexts where discussions about the nature of existence and the sequence of events were prominent. Its application has since expanded into various fields, including law and science, often to denote conditions or entities that must be acknowledged as existing prior to specific situations or occurrences. Over time, 'preexist' has served as a vital term in debates regarding the ontology of concepts and entities, particularly in discussions concerning the existence of ideas before they are manifested materially.