prevenant, a. and n. rare.
(ˈprɛvɪnənt)
Also as French prévenant.
[F., orig. pres. pple. of prévenir to predispose, prepossess: see prevene.]
A. adj.
1. In F. form prévenant (prevnɑ̃). Courteously anticipating the needs of others; obliging.
| 1770 F. Burney Early Diary (1889) I. 86 There is something in his manner prévenant. |
† 2. = prevenient 2. Obs. rare—1.
| 1790 Bystander 386 He made me comprehend..a wide difference between..grace prevenant and grace co-operant. |
B. n. Something that precedes; an antecedent.
| 1876 W. G. Ward Ess. Philos. Theism (1884) I. 318 On reflection, we think it will be satisfactory if we use the word ‘prevenant’ to denote what he calls ‘cause’. |