prevenient
|pre-ven-i-ent|
/prɪˈviːniənt/
come before
Etymology
'prevenient' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praevenire', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'venire' meant 'to come'.
'praevenire' passed into Old French as 'prevenir' and into Middle English (e.g. 'prevenen'/'prevenient'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'prevenient'.
Initially, it meant 'to come before', but over time it evolved into the current senses of 'coming before; antecedent' and, in theological usage, 'going before to enable or prepare' .
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
coming before in time, order, or position; preceding; antecedent.
Their prevenient actions gave the community time to prepare for the emergency.
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Adjective 2
(Theological) Going before so as to enable, prepare, or influence — as in 'prevenient grace' that precedes and enables a human response.
Prevenient grace, in Arminian theology, is described as the divine assistance that comes before a person's decision.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 16:46