préc

Préc is an abbreviation encountered in some French-language scholarly and editorial contexts. It is not a standalone word; rather, it functions as a shorthand marker that can point to a longer term beginning with pré- or serve as a cross-reference indicator. Because it is not standardized, its exact meaning depends on the publication, field, or edition.

Usage and interpretation: In bibliographies, glossaries, and editorial notes, préc may indicate that the reader should consult a previously mentioned entry or section. In other contexts it can stand for a longer term such as précis (summary) or précédent (previous), among others. The intended expansion is typically clarified by the document’s glossary, editorial conventions, or the surrounding text; without such guidance, préc is ambiguous. It is more common in French-language materials, though it may appear in multilingual works that adopt French shorthand conventions.

Limitations: As a non-fixed abbreviation, préc does not have a single, universal definition. Interpreting it reliably requires consulting the source’s specific conventions. When in doubt, treating préc as a cross-reference marker and checking the context or editor notes is advisable.

See also: ibid., loc. cit., op. cit.