Precontract

noun, verb

noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A contract preceding another, especially a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it.

    "Two grounds are surmised , by opposite parties : a pre-contract with Percy , Earl of Northumberland ; and an adulterous intercourse of Henry , many years preceding , with Anne's sister , Mary Boleyn."

Verb
  1. 1
    To contract prior to another process.
  2. 2
    To make a previous contract.

Example

More examples

"Two grounds are surmised , by opposite parties : a pre-contract with Percy , Earl of Northumberland ; and an adulterous intercourse of Henry , many years preceding , with Anne's sister , Mary Boleyn."

Etymology

From pre- + contract.

More for "precontract"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.