praecursio

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

praecursĭo: ōnis, f. id.,
I a coming or going before. *
I In gen.: sine praecursione visorum, without a previous occurrence of phenomena, Cic. Fat. 19, 44.—
II In partic. *
   A In milit. lang., a preliminary combat, a skirmish, Plin. Ep. 6, 13, 6.—
   B In rhet. lang., a preparation of the hearer, Cic. Top. 15, 59.—
   C The office or work of a forerunner, the mission of John the Baptist, Aug. Tract. in Johan. 4, 6.