PRE-EM'INENCE, noun

1. Superiority in excellence; distinction in something commendable; as pre-eminence in honor or virtue; pre-eminence in eloquence, in legal attainments or in medical skill.

The preeminence of christianity to any other religious scheme--

2. Precedence; priority of place; superiority in rank or dignity.

That in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:1.

Painful preeminence! yourself to view

Above life's weakness and its comforts too.

3. Superiority of power or influence.

4. Sometimes in a bad sense; as pre-eminence in guilt or crime.