† prenˈsation Obs. rare.
[ad. L. prensātio, n. of action f. prensāre, contr. f. prehensāre: see prehensation.]
Seizing; laying hold.
| 1620 J. King Serm. 24 Mar. 22 How would I vrge vnto you..the presentest prensation and pursuit of the very forelock of time? a 1677 Barrow Pope's Suprem. (1680) 149 By ambitious prensations, by Simoniacal corruptions,..by all kinds of sinister ways, men crept into the place. |
So † ˈprensile a. Obs. rare, perh. error for prehensile; prension (rare) = prehension (sense 3).
| 1825 Waterton Wand. S. Amer. iv. ii. 322 The large red monkey of Demerara..having a long prensile tail. [Note] I believe prensile is a new-coined word. I have seen it, but do not remember where. [Prehensile was a recent word.] 1836–48 B. D. Walsh Aristoph., Clouds i. iv, Verboseness, and pulsion, and prension. |