I.v. dep. n. and a., to glide onwards, to flow, swim, etc., before or along; to move, glide, etc., quickly by or past (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
I. Lit.: “insula, in quam Germani nando praelabebantur,” Tac. H. 2, 35: “piscis praelabitur ante, Cic. poët. N. D. 2, 43, 111: amnis,” Luc. 9, 355.—With acc.: “rotis flumina,” to glide by the streams on wheels, Verg. G. 3, 180; cf.: “ales bestiam praevenit et secundo flatu praelabitur et anticipat,” App. de Deo Soc. prol. p. 365, 28.—
II. Trop., to glide past, to hasten by a thing; with acc.: “ira eruditas mentes praelabitur,” Petr. 99: “praelabens tempus,” Col. 11, 1.