precontract

• pre-contract

pre- +‎ contract

precontract (plural precontracts)

1. (law) A contract preceding another, especially a contract of marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it.
   • 1726, John Ayliffe, Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani: Or, A Commentary, by Way of Supplement to the Canons and Constitutions of the Church of England. […], London: […] D. Leach, and sold by John Walthoe […], →OCLC:

     Two grounds are surmised , by opposite parties : a pre-contract with Percy , Earl of Northumberland ; and an adulterous intercourse of Henry , many years preceding , with Anne's sister , Mary Boleyn.

   • 1867, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Digest of the Reports of the United States Courts and Acts of Congress:

     A followed in the Federal courts , to the precontract , valid by the Constitution and laws judice of holders for value who acquired their of a State

precontract (third-person singular simple present precontracts, present participle precontracting, simple past and past participle precontracted)

1. To contract prior to another process.
2. To make a previous contract.

• “precontract”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

From pre- +‎ contract.

precontract n (plural precontracte)

1. preliminary contract