noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˌpɹiː.mjʊˈnɪə.ɹi/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˌpɹiː.mjuːˈnɪə.ɹi/
Received-Pronunciation:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ˌpɹi.mjəˈnɪɹ.i/
1
noun
Meaning 1
The offence in English law of bringing suit in or obeying a foreign (especially papal) court or authority, thus challenging the supremacy of the Crown. The offence was created by the Statute of Praemunire 1393 (16 Richard II, chapter 5), and abolished by the Criminal Law Act 1967 (chapter 58).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The writ charging a person with this offence, the writ of praemunire facias.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Any of a number of criminal offences incurring similar penalties to the original offence of praemunire.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Crime, offence, wrongdoing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
The penalty for this offence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A difficulty or predicament.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To charge with the offence of praemunire; to subject to the penalties of praemunire.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin praemūnīre, shortened form of praemunire facias (“that you cause to be forewarned”) from the opening words of the writ: praemūnīre (“to fortify (defend in advance)”) (an error for praemonēre (“to forewarn”)) + faciās (“you make”).
