I.to build before, as a preparation for other buildings, to lay a foundation: “praestructa (opp. ea) quae superposita incumbent,” Col. 1, 5, 9.—
B. Transf., to build up in front, to block or stop up, to make impassable or inaccessible (mostly poet.): “ille aditum vasti praestruxerat obice montis,” Ov. F. 1, 563: “hospitis effugio praestruxerat omnia Minos,” id. A. A. 2, 21: “porta Fonte praestructa,” stopped up, id. M. 14, 797; cf.: “densato scutorum compage se scientissime praestruebant,” Amm. 14, 2, 10.—
II. Trop., to make ready or prepare beforehand for any thing: fraus fidem in parvis sibi praestruit, prepares or secures for itself credibility in trifles, Liv. 28, 42, 7: “praestruit ad illud quod dicturus est, multa esse crimina in Verre quae, etc.,” Ascon. ad Cic. Div. in Caecil. 8: tacitas vindictae iras. Claud. ap. Ruf. 2, 280: “prius agmina saevo praestrue Marti,” id. IV. Cons. Hon. 319.—
B. To arrange or contrive beforehand: cum praestructum utrumque consulto esset, whereas it had all been concerted beforehand, Suet. Tib. 53: “id scilicet praestruentes,” Amm. 31, 7.—Hence, praestructus , a, um, P. a., prepared: “praestructum bellis civilibus hostem,” Claud. B. Gild. 285.
