pre-empt /priːe mpt/ (pre-empts , pre-empting , pre-empted ) in AM, usually use preempt VERB If you pre-empt an action, you prevent it from happening by doing something which makes it unnecessary or impossible. □ [V n] You can pre-empt pain by taking a painkiller at the first warning sign. □ [V n] He pre-empted any decision to sack him. ● pre-emption /priːe mpʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Pre-emption was the only method of averting defeat.
pre-emptive /priːe mpt I v/ in AM, usually use preemptive ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pre-emptive attack or strike is intended to weaken or damage an enemy or opponent, for example by destroying their weapons before they can do any harm. □ …plans for a pre-emptive strike against countries that may have biological weapons.
preen /priː n/ (preens , preening , preened )
1 VERB If someone preens themselves , they spend a lot of time making themselves look neat and attractive; used especially if you want to show that you disapprove of this behaviour or that you find it ridiculous and amusing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V pron-refl] 50% of men under 35 spend at least 20 minutes preening themselves every morning. □ [V n] Bill preened his beard.
2 VERB If someone preens , they think in a pleased way about how attractive, clever, or good at something they are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] She stood preening in their midst, delighted with the attention. □ [V pron-refl + on ] He preened himself on the praise he had received. □ [V -ing] …a preening prize fighter about to enter a ring.
3 VERB When birds preen their feathers, they clean them and arrange them neatly using their beaks. □ [V pron-refl] Rare birds preen themselves right in front of your camera. [Also V , V n]
pre -exi sting also preexisting ADJ [ADJ n] A pre-existing situation or thing exists already or existed before something else. □ …the pre-existing tensions between the two countries. □ …people who have been infected in the course of their NHS treatment for a pre-existing illness.
pre|fab /priː fæb/ (prefabs )
1 N‑COUNT A prefab is a house built with parts which have been made in a factory and then quickly put together at the place where the house was built. [mainly BRIT ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A prefab building or structure is one that has been made from parts which were made in a factory and then quickly put together at the place where the structure was built .
pre|fab|ri|cat|ed /priːfæ br I ke I t I d/ ADJ Prefabricated buildings are built with parts which have been made in a factory so that they can be easily carried and put together.
pref|ace /pre f I s/ (prefaces , prefacing , prefaced )
1 N‑COUNT A preface is an introduction at the beginning of a book, which explains what the book is about or why it was written.
2 VERB If you preface an action or speech with something else, you do or say this other thing first. □ [V n + with ] I will preface what I am going to say with a few lines from Shakespeare. □ [V n + by ] The president prefaced his remarks by saying he has supported unemployment benefits all along.
pre|fect /priː fekt/ (prefects )
1 N‑COUNT In some schools, especially in Britain, a prefect is an older pupil who does special duties and helps the teachers to control the younger pupils.
2 N‑COUNT In some countries, a prefect is the head of the local government administration or of a local government department. □ …the police prefect for the district of Mehedinti.
pre|fec|ture /priː fektʃə r / (prefectures ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] In some countries, administrative areas are called prefectures . □ He was born in Yamagata prefecture, north of Tokyo.
pre|fer ◆◆◇ /pr I fɜː r / (prefers , preferring , preferred ) VERB [no cont] If you prefer someone or something, you like that person or thing better than another, and so you are more likely to choose them if there is a choice. □ [V n] Does he prefer a particular sort of music? □ [V n + to ] I became a teacher because I preferred books and people to politics. □ [V to-inf] I prefer to go on self-catering holidays. □ [V n to-inf] I would prefer him to be with us next season. □ [V v-ing] Bob prefers making original pieces rather than reproductions. □ [V n adj] The woodwork's green now. I preferred it blue. □ [V -ed] Her own preferred methods of exercise are hiking and long cycle rides. [Also V that]
pref|er|able /pre frəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that one thing is preferable to another, you mean that it is more desirable or suitable. □ [+ to ] A big earthquake a long way off is preferable to a smaller one nearby. □ [+ to ] The hazards of the theatre seemed preferable to joining the family paint business. ● pref|er|ably /pre frəbli/ ADV □ Do something creative or take exercise, preferably in the fresh air.
pref|er|ence /pre fərəns/ (preferences )
1 N‑VAR If you have a preference for something, you would like to have or do that thing rather than something else. □ [+ for ] Parents can express a preference for the school their child attends. □ [+ to ] Many of these products were bought in preference to their own.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give preference to someone with a particular qualification or feature, you choose them rather than someone else. □ [+ to ] Firms often give preference to present employees in promotions, transfers, and other career-enhancing opportunities.
pre f|er|ence shares N‑PLURAL Preference shares are shares in a company that are owned by people who have the right to receive part of the company's profits before the holders of ordinary shares are paid. They also have the right to have their capital repaid if the company fails and has to close. Compare ordinary shares . [BRIT , BUSINESS ] in AM use preferred stock