precent, v.
(prɪˈsɛnt)
[ad. L. præcentāre to sing before, or back-formation from precentor.]
a. intr. To officiate as precentor; to lead the singing of a choir or congregation. b. trans. To lead in singing (a psalm, antiphon, etc.).
| 1732 R. Erskine Diary in Agnew Theol. Consolation (1881) 253 This day I precented for my colleague. 1824 Blackw. Mag. XV. 179 Owing to some misunderstanding between the minister of the parish and the session clerk, the precenting in church devolved on my father. 1872 Sacristy II. 224 Lifted up his voice and precented the ‘Salve, Sancta Parens!’ 1893 C. L. Marson Psalms at Work (1894) 177/1 It is..the hymn they sang on their way to the Mount.., and Our Lord no doubt precented it by singing the first half-verse alone. 1904 R. Small Hist. U.P. Congregat. I. 669 The employment of a student to keep school and precent. |