Preexistence
Pronunciation : Pre`?x*ist"ence
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something else. Wisdom declares her antiquity and pre?xistence to all the works of this earth. T. Burnet.
2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a doctrine held by certain philosophers. Addison.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913