PRE-EM'INENCE, n.
1. Superiority in excellence; distinction in something commendable; as pre-eminence in honor or virtue; pre-eminence in eloquence, in legal attainments or in medical skill.
The preeminence of christianity to any other religious scheme--
2. Precedence; priority of place; superiority in rank or dignity.
That in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1.
Painful preeminence! yourself to view
Above life's weakness and its comforts too.
3. Superiority of power or influence.
4. Sometimes in a bad sense; as pre-eminence in guilt or crime.
