"preclare" means: Preclare is an obsolete Scots and literary adjective meaning illustrious, distinguished, or eminent — of great renown. Derived from the Lati.... This is technical or formal vocabulary, more likely to appear in school work, news or a particular profession than in peer chat. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your child uses the term, it is usually a sign of curiosity about a subject area. A short follow-up question about where they came across it is usually all that is needed.
preclare
Preclare is an obsolete Scots and literary adjective meaning illustrious, distinguished, or eminent — of great renown.
Definitions
#1·Apr 28, 2026
Preclare is an obsolete Scots and literary adjective meaning illustrious, distinguished, or eminent — of great renown. Derived from the Latin 'praeclarus' (very bright, very famous), it belongs to the formal, Latinate register that Scottish scholars and writers of earlier centuries often employed. Entirely archaic in contemporary usage; encountered in historical Scottish writing, legal documents, or the kind of elaborate formal prose of the 16th–18th centuries that drew heavily on Latin vocabulary.
The preclare gentleman was welcomed into the hall with full ceremony befitting his reputation.
Origin: From Latin 'praeclarus' (very clear, very famous, illustrious); the Scots and literary form preserving the Latin root directly. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents
"preclare" means: Preclare is an obsolete Scots and literary adjective meaning illustrious, distinguished, or eminent — of great renown. Derived from the Lati.... This is technical or formal vocabulary, more likely to appear in school work, news or a particular profession than in peer chat. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your child uses the term, it is usually a sign of curiosity about a subject area. A short follow-up question about where they came across it is usually all that is needed.
For ESL learners
"preclare" means: Preclare is an obsolete Scots and literary adjective meaning illustrious, distinguished, or eminent — of great renown. Derived from the Lati.... Register: formal or technical English, standard in its specialist domain (law, medicine, science, finance, etc.). Gloss the term with a plain synonym when writing for a general audience. Note the regional or dialect label (obsolete) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and
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#2·Apr 27, 2026
(obsolete, Scotland) illustrious, distinguished.
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Other words near "preclare" (P)
preaudienceprebusinesspreceptpreceptorprecinctprecinct committeemanpreclearanceprecognoscePredditorpredecimalisedpredikantPredney
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