Preexistence

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Preexistence \Pre`["e]x*ist"ence\, n.
     1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something
        else.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Wisdom declares her antiquity and pre["e]xistence to


              all the works of this earth.          --T. Burnet.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a
        doctrine held by certain philosophers. --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  preexistence
       n : existing in a former state or previous to something else