prehumous meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

prehumous

adj

Etymology By analogy with posthumous, replacing post- with pre-.

Before death.

There are certainly the portraits of men among them who, like the bad king that, according to his prehumous epitaph, never did a good thing, and therefore have no business in the good company in which we find them.1859, “The National Portrait Gallery”, in The Art-Journal, London: James S. Virtue; […], New York, page 348, column 2:
S. Hartley.—The reading public is only too prone to give posthumous laurels to those to whom it would hardly give prehumous bread. As far as his fame is concerned, William Maccall has the misfortune not to be in his grave. Many run out into the wilderness to meet B. V., and, behold, a greater than B. V. is here, although B. V. is undoubtedly great.1885 January 24, “To Correspondents”, in Saladin, editor, The Secular Review: A Journal of Agnosticism, volume XVI, number 4, London, page 57, column 2:

4 more examples

He [William Wilson Corcoran] is a rare instance of prehumous liberality, having given away in his lifetime, it is said on good authority, at least $5,000,000.1888 January 7, “A Veteran Philanthropist”, in Harper’s Weekly: A Journal of Civilization, volume XXXII, number 1620, page 6, column 1:
From the prehumous correspondence of Mr. Tarkington which was brought to light by the whole sad business, Mr. Corbin concluded that the creator of Penrod, like the creator of Long John Silver, considered the drama an inferior form of expression.1918, Vanity Fair, page 110:
“Aye aye, sir,” said Weems gloomily. “A beach room without beer, blondes or any berserkity.” / “That’s my boy,” said the commander approvingly. “Your posthumous awards will make history, John.” / “I prefer prehumous beer and blondes,” Weems said, and cut the motor and they glided[…]1952, The Saturday Evening Post, page 134:
“Who’s Mike Dunham?” / “Me,” he said calmly. “You see, I’m a painter—or will be one of these days. Probably after I’m dead. But I can’t wait till then to enjoy it. So I figure a little prehumous appreciation of the fact is in order.”1954, Post Stories, New York, N.Y.: Random House, page 154: