Definition of preterite-present in English:
preterite-present
(US preterit-present)
noun ˌprɛt(ə)rɪtˈprɛznt
Grammar A verb of which the tense used as the present was originally a preterite, especially one of a small group of verbs in the Germanic languages (mostly used as modal auxiliaries) of which the present tense is in form and origin a preterite and the past tense a more recent (though still pre-literary) weak formation.
adjective ˌprɛt(ə)rɪtˈprɛznt
Grammar Designating or relating to a preterite-present.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Atlantic Monthly. From preterite + present.
Definition of preterite-present in US English:
preterite-present
(US preterit-present)
nounˌprɛt(ə)rɪtˈprɛznt
Grammar A verb of which the tense used as the present was originally a preterite, especially one of a small group of verbs in the Germanic languages (mostly used as modal auxiliaries) of which the present tense is in form and origin a preterite and the past tense a more recent (though still pre-literary) weak formation.
adjectiveˌprɛt(ə)rɪtˈprɛznt
Grammar Designating or relating to a preterite-present.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Atlantic Monthly. From preterite + present.