frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

pre-eminence
n. 1 See predominance, above. 2 peerlessness, magnificence,
excellence, distinction, eminence, inimitability, superiority:
There is no gainsaying the pre-eminence of Shakespeare as a poet
and playwright.
pre-eminent
adj. 1 See predominant, above. 2 peerless, excellent,
distinguished, eminent, inimitable, superb, unequalled,
matchless, incomparable, outstanding, unique, unrivalled,
unsurpassed, supreme, superior: In her opinion, Craig is the
pre-eminent authority on the subject.
pre-eminently
adv. primarily, principally, by far, far and away, manifestly,
eminently, notably, conspicuously, prominently, signally,
uniquely, extraordinarily, supremely, superbly, matchlessly,
incomparably, outstandingly: There is no doubt that Nathalie is
pre-eminently qualified to direct the play.
pre-empt v. appropriate, usurp, arrogate, take over, assume, take
possession of, seize, acquire, take, possess, expropriate: All
the seats on the committee had been pre-empted by the ruling
faction.
preen v. 1 trim, clean, plume, groom: The gliding swans stopped now
and then to preen their feathers. 2 primp, dress up, titivate
or tittivate, prettify, beautify, prink, spruce up, deck (out),
Colloq doll up, Brit tart up: He made Sonia wait while he
preened himself before the mirror.
preface n. 1 introduction, foreword, prologue, preamble, Formal proem,
prolegomenon, exordium: By way of preface, I should like to say
how happy I am to be here. The preface to the book is far too
long.
--v. 2 precede, introduce, prefix, begin, open: The speaker
prefaced his acceptance speech with a tribute to his
predecessor.
prefatory adj. opening, introductory, preliminary, preparatory: Would
you like to make a few prefatory remarks introducing this