preexist

Already be there

To preexist is to exist before something else—before an event, era, or entity came into being: The soul preexists the body, according to some philosophies.

Often used in discussions of conditions, rights, or states that preceded a later development: preexisting medical conditions, traditions that preexisted the modern nation-state.

temporal

prior

Existing before another

antecedentSomething that precedes
precedeCome or go first
predateExist earlier than

earlier · before · foregoing · anterior · previous · former · precedent · antecedence · prehistory · primordial

philosophical

essence

Fundamental nature of something

beingExisting as something
ontologyStudy of existence's nature
metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature

a priori · innate · inherent · presupposition · premise · assumption · given · axiom · postulate · fundamental

scientific

precursor

Something that comes first

ancestorPredecessor in lineage
progenitorAncestor or originator
fossilPreserved ancient organism

evolution · origins · genesis · primordial · ancient · prehistoric · paleontology · ancestry · lineage · predecessor

theological

soul

Innermost animating essence

eternalLasting without end
immortalCannot die
divineOf or from gods

incarnation · reincarnation · transmigration · predestination · foreordination · preordained · celestial · spiritual · heavenly · afterlife

Opposites

temporal sequence

preexistpostdate

Assign a later time

follow · succeed · come after · ensue · supervene

existence state

preexistcome into being

Begin to exist

originate · emerge · arise · begin · be born

Phrases

preexisting conditionHealth problem predating insurance

Family

preexisting, preexistence, preexistent, preexists, preexisted

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G