Preg"nant (?), a. [L. praegnans,
-antis; prae before + genere, gignere, to
beget: cf. F. prégnant. See Gender, 2d
Kin.]
1. Being with young, as a female; having
conceived; great with young; breeding; teeming; gravid; preparing to
bring forth.
2. Heavy with important contents,
significance, or issue; full of consequence or results; weighty; as,
pregnant replies. " A pregnant argument."
Prynne. " A pregnant brevity." E. Everett.
3. Full of promise; abounding in ability,
resources, etc.; as, a pregnant youth. [Obs.]
Evelyn.
Wherein the pregnant enemy does
much.
Shak.
Pregnant construction (Rhet.), one in
which more is implied than is said; as, the beasts trembled
forth from their dens, that is, came forth trembling with
fright.
Preg"nant, n. A pregnant
woman. [R.] Dunglison.
Preg"nant, a. [F. prenant taking.
Cf. Pregnable.] Affording entrance; receptive; yielding;
willing; open; prompt. [Obs.] " Pregnant to good pity."
Shak.
