from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Preterition \Pre`ter*i"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. praeteritio: cf.
F. pr['e]t['e]rition.]
1. The act of passing, or going past; the state of being
past. --Bp. Hall.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Rhet.) A figure by which, in pretending to pass over
anything, a summary mention of it is made; as, "I will not
say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just." Called
also {paraleipsis}.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Law) The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs
who is entitled to a portion. --Bouvier.
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
PRETERITION, civil law. The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs
who is entitled to a legitime, (q.v.) in the succession.
2. Among the Romans, the preterition of children when made by the
mother were presumed to have been made with design; the preterition of sons
by any other testator was considered as a wrong and avoided the will, except
the will of a soldier in service, which was not subject to so much form.