preeminent
pre.em.i.nent \-n*nt\ aj [LL praeeminent-, praeeminens, fr. L, prp. of praeemine-re] to be outstanding, fr. prae- + emine-re to stand out - more at EMINENT : having paramount rank, dignity, or importance : OUTSTANDING, MSUPREME - pre.em.i.nent.ly av