---
title: P — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics · page 51
description: The 1498 words of the English dictionary under P, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# P — The English dictionary · page 51

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**precaution** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A precaution is something you do in advance to stop something bad or dangerous from happening.[↗](../../precaution/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Wear goggles as a precaution in the science lab.[↗](../../precaution/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We took an umbrella as a precaution.[↗](../../precaution/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Wearing a helmet is a sensible precaution when cycling.[↗](../../precaution/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The school practises fire drills as a safety precaution.[↗](../../precaution/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · As a precaution, the beach was closed during the storm.[↗](../../precaution/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Washing hands is a simple precaution against germs.[↗](../../precaution/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Take all safety precautions before using the oven.[↗](../../precaution/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · He knew very well what that meant; but he had taken his precautions and was not afraid.[↗](../../precaution/#x8 "tree and pragmatics")

**precautionary** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Done to stop something bad from happening, before it happens.[↗](../../precautionary/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) Done just in case, to be safe, even if the danger may not be real.[↗](../../precautionary/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* As a precautionary measure, the school closed early because of the storm.[↗](../../precautionary/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The nurse kept him in for a precautionary check.[↗](../../precautionary/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The fire alarm sounded, and we left the building as a precautionary step.[↗](../../precautionary/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The lifeguard closed the beach as a precautionary move after a shark was seen.[↗](../../precautionary/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · We packed spare batteries as a precautionary thing.[↗](../../precautionary/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Precautionary signs warned of thin ice on the pond.[↗](../../precautionary/#x6 "tree and pragmatics")

**precede** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) To come or go before something in time, order or place.[↗](../../precede/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Lightning precedes thunder.[↗](../../precede/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · In the alphabet, A precedes B.[↗](../../precede/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The number that precedes 100 is 99.[↗](../../precede/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The main show was preceded by a short film.[↗](../../precede/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Read the preceding paragraph again.[↗](../../precede/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · A short silence preceded the cheers.[↗](../../precede/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · She became united to Erebus, and their children were Aether and Hemera (Air and Daylight), evidently a simile of the poets, to indicate that darkness always precedes light.[↗](../../precede/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Ain precedes Ain Suph, boundlessness; and Ain Suph Aur, Boundless Light.[↗](../../precede/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)[↗](../../precede/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · Some believed that the Zero, 0 preceded the One, 1.[↗](../../precede/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../precede/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · It holds that chaos was not even the first thing created, but was preceded by voice, air, and speech-").[↗](../../precede/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../precede/#x10 "tree and pragmatics")

**precedence** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Precedence is being more important than something else, so it comes first.[↗](../../precedence/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) Order of precedence is the order in which people or things must go, by rank or importance.[↗](../../precedence/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Safety takes precedence over speed.[↗](../../precedence/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · In 3 + 4 × 2, multiplication takes precedence, so the answer is 11.[↗](../../precedence/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Homework takes precedence over video games.[↗](../../precedence/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Brackets take precedence over everything else.[↗](../../precedence/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The guests sat in order of precedence.[↗](../../precedence/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Emergency vehicles take precedence on the road.[↗](../../precedence/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Health takes precedence over winning.[↗](../../precedence/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The head teacher's rule takes precedence.[↗](../../precedence/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · She's the oldest of us all, but she takes precedence of the youngest.[↗](../../precedence/#x9 "tree and pragmatics")

**precedent** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* An action or decision from the past that is used as an example or rule for what to do later.[↗](../../precedent/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (law) An earlier judgement in court that judges follow in similar cases.[↗](../../precedent/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* If I let you stay up late, it will set a precedent.[↗](../../precedent/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The judge followed a precedent from an earlier case.[↗](../../precedent/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The flood was without precedent in the town's history.[↗](../../precedent/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Her election as the first woman leader set a precedent.[↗](../../precedent/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · There is no precedent for a dog joining the school choir.[↗](../../precedent/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Courts in England follow precedent.[↗](../../precedent/#x6 "tree and pragmatics")

**preceding** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Coming just before something in time, order or position (the preceding page, the preceding year).[↗](../../preceding/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Going in front of or happening before something else.[↗](../../preceding/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Look at the preceding page for the answer.[↗](../../preceding/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The number preceding 100 is 99.[↗](../../preceding/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Use your answer from the preceding question.[↗](../../preceding/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · In the preceding weeks, she practised every day.[↗](../../preceding/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The days preceding the holiday were busy.[↗](../../preceding/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · A flash of lightning comes in the seconds preceding the thunder.[↗](../../preceding/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The evening passed pleasantly like the one preceding.[↗](../../preceding/#x7 "tree and pragmatics")

**precept** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) A rule or principle telling people how to behave or think.[↗](../../precept/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (church, Bible) A command or teaching from God or a religious teacher.[↗](../../precept/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (law, UK) An official written order.[↗](../../precept/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* "Treat others as you want to be treated" is a famous precept.[↗](../../precept/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Christians believe the precepts of the Bible guide how to live.[↗](../../precept/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Buddhists follow five precepts, such as not harming living things.[↗](../../precept/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Our teacher taught us more by example than by precept.[↗](../../precept/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Honesty is the first precept of our school rules.[↗](../../precept/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The old book was full of wise precepts.[↗](../../precept/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The monks lived by strict precepts.[↗](../../precept/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Example is more powerful than precept.[↗](../../precept/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · This I have had, that I have kept Thy precepts.[↗](../../precept/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.119.56, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precept/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.[↗](../../precept/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.119.4, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precept/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts.[↗](../../precept/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.119.94, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precept/#x11 "tree and pragmatics")

**preceptor** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A preceptor is a teacher or tutor who looks after a young person's learning, often one who lives in the family.[↗](../../preceptor/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The hero thanked his preceptor for all the lessons.[↗](../../preceptor/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Chiron was the preceptor of many heroes in old stories.[↗](../../preceptor/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · His preceptor taught him to ride, to fight and to read the stars.[↗](../../preceptor/#x3 "tree and pragmatics")

**precession** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (science) The slow turning of the axis of a spinning object, such as a spinning top or the Earth, so that the axis traces a circle.[↗](../../precession/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (science) The slow change in the direction of Earth's axis, taking about 26,000 years for one circle.[↗](../../precession/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A spinning top shows precession when it wobbles.[↗](../../precession/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Because of precession, Polaris will not always be the North Star.[↗](../../precession/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Precession of the Earth's axis takes about 26,000 years.[↗](../../precession/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The gyroscope's precession was slow.[↗](../../precession/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Scientists measure precession with telescopes.[↗](../../precession/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Precession changes which stars we see at the pole.[↗](../../precession/#x6 "tree and pragmatics")

**precinct** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (USA) A district of a city that has its own police station; also the police station itself.[↗](../../precinct/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (UK) A shopping area where cars are not allowed (a shopping precinct).[↗](../../precinct/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* The area around a building, often enclosed, like a cathedral precinct.[↗](../../precinct/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (USA) A voting district.[↗](../../precinct/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The officer works at the 12th precinct.[↗](../../precinct/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We met in the shopping precinct.[↗](../../precinct/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The cathedral precincts were quiet.[↗](../../precinct/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · (USA) Voters went to their precinct to vote.[↗](../../precinct/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The precinct was closed to cars.[↗](../../precinct/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · No running in the school precincts.[↗](../../precinct/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · For the Precinct westward, four at the causeway, and two at the Precinct.[↗](../../precinct/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings 1CH.26.18, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precinct/#x7 "tree and pragmatics")

**precious** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Precious means very valuable, worth a lot of money («precious stones», «precious metals»).[↗](../../precious/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Precious means very important and loved, not to be wasted or lost («precious memories», «time is precious»).[↗](../../precious/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Informally, precious can mean too fussy or delicate.[↗](../../precious/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* «Precious little» means very little.[↗](../../precious/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Gold and silver are precious metals.[↗](../../precious/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Water is precious in the desert.[↗](../../precious/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · This old photo is precious to Grandma.[↗](../../precious/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Diamonds and rubies are precious stones.[↗](../../precious/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't waste precious time; start your homework.[↗](../../precious/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The baby is very precious to her parents.[↗](../../precious/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · There is precious little food left in the fridge.[↗](../../precious/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The dragon guarded its precious treasure.[↗](../../precious/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · Just see those precious stones lying there\![↗](../../precious/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · And for the tops of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the everlasting hills, (Torah DEU.33.15, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precious/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · And for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, and for the precious things of the yield of the moons, (Torah DEU.33.14, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precious/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · And of Joseph he said: Blessed of the LORD be his land; for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, (Torah DEU.33.13, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precious/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") · Dedan was thy trafficker in precious cloths for riding.[↗](../../precious/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets EZK.27.20, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precious/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") · And the Almighty be thy treasure, and precious silver unto thee; (Writings JOB.22.25, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precious/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") · Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his precious fruits.[↗](../../precious/#x15 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings SNG.4.16, JPS 1917)[↗](../../precious/#x15 "tree and pragmatics")

**precipice** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A precipice is a very steep cliff or drop, with a sheer face going down a long way.[↗](../../precipice/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The goat stood on a narrow ledge above the precipice.[↗](../../precipice/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Never walk too close to the edge of a precipice.[↗](../../precipice/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The donkey ran so fast that it nearly fell over the precipice.[↗](../../precipice/#x3 "tree and pragmatics")

**precipitant** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (science) A substance that you add to a liquid to make a solid form and come out of it (a precipitate).[↗](../../precipitant/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) Something that causes an event to happen suddenly, a trigger: «Stress was the precipitant of the argument.».[↗](../../precipitant/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (formal, rare adjective) Done too quickly, without thinking; rushed.[↗](../../precipitant/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The teacher added a precipitant and the clear liquid went cloudy.[↗](../../precipitant/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Salt can act as a precipitant in some experiments.[↗](../../precipitant/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The heavy rain was the precipitant of the landslide.[↗](../../precipitant/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Doctors looked for the precipitant of her asthma attack.[↗](../../precipitant/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · His precipitant decision to quit surprised everyone.[↗](../../precipitant/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · A precipitant makes the solid «fall out» of the solution.[↗](../../precipitant/#x6 "tree and pragmatics")

**precipitate** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (verb, formal) To make something bad happen suddenly or sooner than expected: «The argument precipitated a fight».[↗](../../precipitate/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (verb, chemistry) For a solid to form and separate out of a liquid during a reaction; (noun) the solid that forms.[↗](../../precipitate/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (verb, science) For water vapour to fall as rain, snow, sleet or hail.[↗](../../precipitate/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (adjective, formal) Done too quickly, without thinking: «a precipitate decision».[↗](../../precipitate/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* To precipitate yourself means to throw yourself suddenly and headlong into something.[↗](../../precipitate/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The rude comment precipitated a big argument.[↗](../../precipitate/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · When we mixed the two liquids, a white precipitate formed.[↗](../../precipitate/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The storm precipitated a power cut.[↗](../../precipitate/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Water vapour cools and precipitates as rain.[↗](../../precipitate/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · His precipitate decision to quit the team surprised everyone.[↗](../../precipitate/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The chalky solid precipitated to the bottom of the test tube.[↗](../../precipitate/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The loss of his job precipitated the family's move.[↗](../../precipitate/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · With a despairing scream the pirate leapt upon Long Tom and precipitated himself into the sea.[↗](../../precipitate/#x8 "tree and pragmatics")

**precipitation** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Water that falls from clouds to the ground in any form: rain, snow, sleet or hail.[↗](../../precipitation/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* The amount of rain or snow that falls in a place over a time.[↗](../../precipitation/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (chemistry) When a solid forms in a liquid and separates out.[↗](../../precipitation/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Rain, snow, sleet and hail are all kinds of precipitation.[↗](../../precipitation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Precipitation is part of the water cycle.[↗](../../precipitation/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The forecast says there is a 70% chance of precipitation.[↗](../../precipitation/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Deserts get very little precipitation.[↗](../../precipitation/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · We measured precipitation with a rain gauge on the school field.[↗](../../precipitation/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Clouds make precipitation when the water droplets get too heavy.[↗](../../precipitation/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The bar chart shows how much precipitation fell each month.[↗](../../precipitation/#x7 "tree and pragmatics")

**precipitous** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Precipitous means very steep, so that it is almost straight up or down.[↗](../../precipitous/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The path was precipitous and full of loose stones.[↗](../../precipitous/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · They climbed the precipitous rock very slowly.[↗](../../precipitous/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · A castle stood on the precipitous cliffs above the sea.[↗](../../precipitous/#x3 "tree and pragmatics")

**precise** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Exact and correct in every small detail.[↗](../../precise/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Very careful and accurate in doing things.[↗](../../precise/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Used to stress that you mean exactly this one: «at that precise moment».[↗](../../precise/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Please give a precise answer, not a guess.[↗](../../precise/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The recipe needs precise amounts of flour and sugar.[↗](../../precise/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The line is 7.4 centimetres long, to be precise.[↗](../../precise/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · At that precise moment, the bell rang.[↗](../../precise/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · A surgeon must be very precise.[↗](../../precise/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Use precise words to describe your character.[↗](../../precise/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The clock gives the precise time.[↗](../../precise/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Those were her precise words, so there can be no denying that it was she who first tempted him.[↗](../../precise/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · The precise meanings of these subdivisions will be subsequently explored in chapters 3, 4, and 5.[↗](../../precise/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)[↗](../../precise/#x9 "tree and pragmatics")

**precisely** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Exactly; with no mistakes or difference (at precisely nine o'clock).[↗](../../precisely/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Carefully and accurately (measure precisely).[↗](../../precisely/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Used to agree strongly: «Precisely!» means «Yes, exactly that!».[↗](../../precisely/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The train leaves at precisely eight o'clock.[↗](../../precisely/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Measure the line precisely with a ruler.[↗](../../precisely/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · «So we need more flour?»[↗](../../precisely/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") «Precisely!»[↗](../../precisely/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · She cut the paper precisely in half.[↗](../../precisely/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · That's precisely what I wanted.[↗](../../precisely/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · I don't know precisely how many came, about 30.[↗](../../precisely/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · And this was precisely what did happen.[↗](../../precisely/#x7 "tree and pragmatics")

**precision** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Precision means being very exact and careful, getting every small detail right.[↗](../../precision/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (maths, science) Precision is how exact a measurement is, for example to the nearest millimetre rather than to the nearest metre.[↗](../../precision/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* As an adjective before a noun, precision means made to be very exact (precision tools).[↗](../../precision/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* She cut the paper with great precision.[↗](../../precision/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Measure to the nearest millimetre for more precision.[↗](../../precision/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Surgeons work with precision.[↗](../../precision/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The arrow hit the target with amazing precision.[↗](../../precision/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Giving π as 3.14159 shows more precision than 3.14.[↗](../../precision/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The watch was made with precision tools.[↗](../../precision/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Gymnasts need precision and balance.[↗](../../precision/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The specific actions of the two waters are described with great precision in this story.[↗](../../precision/#x8 "tree and pragmatics")

**preclude** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) To prevent something from happening, or make it impossible.[↗](../../preclude/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) To stop someone from doing something.[↗](../../preclude/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *e.g.* "His injury precluded him from playing."[↗](../../preclude/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Bad weather precluded the school trip.[↗](../../preclude/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · His broken arm precluded him from playing in the final.[↗](../../preclude/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Being young does not preclude you from having good ideas.[↗](../../preclude/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The rules preclude using a calculator in this test.[↗](../../preclude/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · "Preclude" is a formal way to say "rule out".[↗](../../preclude/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Lack of money precluded any repairs to the hall.[↗](../../preclude/#x6 "tree and pragmatics")

**preconception** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* An idea formed before you have looked at the facts.[↗](../../preconception/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Elohim Chiim, then, apart from Jewish or Christian preconception, is " the living Gods," or '-'- the Gods of the lives, i.e., living ones."[↗](../../preconception/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") Rittangelius gives Dii viventes, " The living Gods," both words in the plural.[↗](../../preconception/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)[↗](../../preconception/#x1 "tree and pragmatics")

**precondition** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Something that must be true or must happen before something else can happen.[↗](../../precondition/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Finishing your homework is a precondition for going out to play.[↗](../../precondition/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Oxygen is a precondition for fire.[↗](../../precondition/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The talks began without any preconditions.[↗](../../precondition/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · A precondition for joining the team is coming to training.[↗](../../precondition/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Trust is a precondition for friendship.[↗](../../precondition/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Light is a precondition for photosynthesis.[↗](../../precondition/#x6 "tree and pragmatics")

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