precontract

[noun pree-kon-trakt; verb pree-kuh n-trakt, -kon-trakt]

noun

a preexisting contract that legally prevents a person from making another contract of the same nature.

(formerly) such an agreement constituting a legally binding betrothal.

verb (used with object)

to bind by means of a precontract.

to contract for or agree to do (something) by means of a precontract.

verb (used without object)

to make a precontract.

Origin of precontract

1375–1425; late Middle English (noun); see pre-, contract

Related formspre·con·trac·tive, adjectivepre·con·trac·tu·al

[pree-kuh n-trak-choo-uh l] /ˌpri kənˈtræk tʃu əl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for precontract

Historical Examples of precontract

She alleged a precontract on the part of her husband, Angus, which was never proved.
Henry VIII.
A. F. Pollard
The ostensible reason for the divorce was a precontract between Anne and Francis of Lorraine.
Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan and Lorraine, 1522-1590
Julia Cartwright

British Dictionary definitions for precontract

precontract

noun (priːˈkɒntrækt)

a contract or arrangement made beforehand, esp a betrothal

verb (ˌpriːkənˈtrækt)

to betroth or enter into a betrothal by previous agreement

to make (an agreement, etc) by prior arrangement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012