D defs.my
Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913

Preëxistence

· Pre·ëx·ist·ence · IPA
01 n. Existence in a former state, or previous to something else.
  1. 1.
    Existence in a former state, or previous to something else.
    “Wisdom declares her antiquity and preëxistence to all the works of this earth.” — T. Burnet.
  2. 2.
    Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a doctrine held by certain philosophers.