antecede

American  

[an-tuh-seed] / ˌæn təˈsid /

verb (used with object)

anteceded, anteceding

1. to go before, in time, order, rank, etc.; precede.

   Shakespeare antecedes Milton.

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antecede British  

/ ˌæntɪˈsiːd /

verb

1. (tr) to go before, as in time, order, etc; precede

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Etymology

Origin of antecede

First recorded in 1615–25, antecede is from the Latin word antecēdere to go before, precede, excel, surpass. See ante-, cede

Explanation

When one event antecedes another, it comes first. In an election year, party primaries typically antecede the general election. You can use the verb antecede to mean "come before" or "occur earlier." A more common word with the same meaning is precede. You could say that in your cookie recipe, creaming the butter and sugar together antecedes adding the flour. The word comes from the Latin antecedere, "to go before," from ante-, "before," and cedere, "to yield."

Related Words

• anticipate
• foreshadow
• predate
• presage