Definition of "preexistent" [pre•ëx•ist•ent]

• Existing previously. (adjective)
• Preceding existence. (adjective)

Wiktionary.org : Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

• "Part of what makes the Petite Rivière Shelter Center camp work so well is that it is composed of members of a preexistent community which relocated en masse after the earthquake."
• "It describes "'latent' or 'preexistent' evolutionary potential" in our history, they say."
• "The object renders in material form the preexistent intention that gave birth to it, and its form is accounted for by the performance expected of it even before it takes shape."