precontract

[ noun pree-kon-trakt; verb pree-kuhn-trakt, -kon-trakt ]

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

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

verb (used with object)
  1. to bind by means of a precontract.

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

verb (used without object)
  1. to make a precontract.

Origin of precontract

1
1375–1425; late Middle English (noun); see pre-, contract

Other words from precontract

  • pre·con·trac·tive, adjective
  • pre·con·trac·tu·al [pree-kuhn-trak-choo-uhl], /ˌpri kənˈtræk tʃu əl/, adjective

Words Nearby precontract

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use precontract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for precontract

precontract

noun(priːˈkɒntrækt)
  1. a contract or arrangement made beforehand, esp a betrothal

verb(ˌpriːkənˈtrækt)
  1. to betroth or enter into a betrothal by previous agreement

  2. 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