preexist

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pre·ex·ist / ˌprē-igˈzist/ • v. [intr.] [usu. as adj.] (preexisting) exist at or from an earlier time: a preexisting contractual obligation. ∎  [tr.] exist at or from an earlier time than (something): demons who preexisted the Great Flood.DERIVATIVES: pre·ex·ist·ence / -ˈzistəns/ n.pre·ex·ist·ent / -ˈzistənt/ adj.

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