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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Prevenient

Prevenient \Pre*ven"i*ent\, a. [L. praeveniens, p. pr.] Going before; preceding; hence, preventive. ``Prevenient grace descending.''
--Milton.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
prevenient

1650s, from Latin praevenientem (nominative praeveniens), present participle of praevenire, from prae- (see pre-) + venire "to come" (see venue).

Wiktionary
prevenient

a. Of or pertaining to prevenience

WordNet
prevenient

adj. in anticipation [syn: anticipatory]

Wikipedia

Usage examples of "prevenient".

The way to perfection is by the due combination of prevenient, assisting free grace, and of submissive, assisted free will.

Certainly the Word says to me that God's grace is a prevenient grace which has already acted for me.

Therefore, since I thus consider myself to hold the faith of our redemption, by the prevenient grace of God, so that, even were I unable in any way to understand what I believe, still nothing could shake my constancy.

Though he had never regarded himself as other than an orthodox Christian, and would argue on prevenient grace if the subject were proposed to him, I think his virtual divinities were good practical schemes, accurate work, and the faithful completion of undertakings: his prince of darkness was a slack workman.