prelect

or prae·lect

[ pri-lekt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to lecture or discourse publicly.

prelect

/ prɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. rare.
   intr to lecture or discourse in public

Derived Forms

• preˈlector, noun
• preˈlection, noun

Other Words From

• pre·lec·tion [pri-, lek, -sh, uh, n], noun
• pre·lector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelect¹

1610–20; < Latin praelectus, past participle of praelegere to lecture, equivalent to prae- pre- + legere to read aloud; lection

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelect¹

C17: from Late Latin praelegere to instruct by reading, lecture, from prae in front of, in public + legere to read, choose

Example Sentences

Prelect, prē-lekt′, v.i. to read before or in presence of others: to read a discourse: to lecture.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

He would prelect over some thriving plant with wonderful enthusiasm, piling reminiscence on reminiscence of former and perhaps yet finer specimens.

From Project Gutenberg

Being in Rome, I was naturally desirous of seeing the Father, and hearing him prelect.

From Project Gutenberg

The Collegio Romano has a numerous staff of professors, who prelect on theology, logic, history, mathematics, natural philosophy, and other branches.

From Project Gutenberg

Here our friend Anamnesis seemed fatigued, as if he thought he had spun a sufficiently long yarn on the subject; so we prevailed on him to prosecute the walk, as evening was beginning to close in—not, indeed, without apprehension that he would make a stand at several other interesting plants on which it might suit him to prelect!

From Project Gutenberg