Pre*em"i*nent (?), a. [L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F. pr'e'eminent. See Pre-, and Eminent.]
Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities; as, preeminent in guilt.
In goodness and in power preeminent.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.