Pre·ëx·ist v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preëxisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Preëxisting.] To exist previously; to exist before something else; to exist before the current activity commenced; as, preexisting illnesses are not covered by this insurance policy. [Also spelled pre-exist.]
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preexist
v : exist beforehand or prior to a certain point in time; "Did
this condition pre-exist?"