praecursĭo, ōnis, f. [praecurro], a coming or going before. *
I In gen.: sine praecursione visorum, without a previous occurrence of phenomena , Cic. Fat. 19, 44.—
II In partic. *
A In milit. lang., a preliminary combat , a skirmish , Plin. Ep. 6, 13, 6.—
B In rhet. lang., a preparation of the hearer, Cic. Top. 15, 59.—
C The office or work of a forerunner , the mission of John the Baptist , Aug. Tract. in Johan. 4, 6.