preeminent
Pre*ëm"i*nent, a. Etym: [L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr. praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F. pré\'82minent. See Pre-, and Eminent.] Defn: Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities; as, preëminent in guilt. In goodness and in power preëminent. Milton.