[ L. prae, adv. & prep., before, akin to pro, and to E. for, prep.: cf. F. pré-. See Pro-, and cf. Prior. ] A prefix denoting priority (of time, place, or rank); as, precede, to go before; precursor, a forerunner; prefix, to fix or place before; preëminent eminent before or above others. Pre- is sometimes used intensively, as in prepotent, very potent. [ Written also præ-. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Previous accusation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. & n. Press. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Preached p. pr. & vb. n. Preaching. ] [ OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F. prêcher, fr. L. praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim; prae before + dicare to make known, dicere to say; or perhaps from (assumed) LL. praedictare. See Diction, and cf. Predicate, Predict. ] 1. To proclaim or publish tidings; specifically, to proclaim the gospel; to discourse publicly on a religious subject, or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a sermon. [ 1913 Webster ]

How shall they preach, except they be sent? Rom. x. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

From that time Jesus began to preach. Matt. iv. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give serious advice on morals or religion; to discourse in the manner of a preacher. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal religious harangue. [ 1913 Webster ]

That Cristes gospel truly wolde preche. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. Isa. lxi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness by public teaching. “I have preached righteousness in the great congregation.” Ps. xl. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To deliver or pronounce; as, to preach a sermon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching. [ R. ] “As ye are preached.” Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To advise or recommend earnestly. [ 1913 Webster ]

My master preaches patience to him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To preach down, to oppress, or humiliate by preaching. Tennyson. --
To preach up, to exalt by preaching; to preach in support of; as, to preach up equality. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. prêche, fr. prêcher. See Preach, v. ] A religious discourse. [ Obs. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. preeschierre, prescheur, F. prêcheur, L. praedicator. ] 1. One who preaches; one who discourses publicly on religious subjects. [ 1913 Webster ]

How shall they hear without a preacher? Rom. x. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who inculcates anything with earnestness. [ 1913 Webster ]

No preacher is listened to but Time. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Preacher bird (Zool.), a toucan. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a preacher. “The preachership of the Rolls.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Preach + -fy. ] To discourse in the manner of a preacher. [ Colloq. ] Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of delivering a religious discourse; the art of sermonizing; also, a sermon; a public religious discourse; serious, earnest advice. Milner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Preaching cross, a cross, sometimes surmounting a pulpit, erected out of doors to designate a preaching place. --
Preaching friars. See Dominican. [ 1913 Webster ]