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."

Example Sentences

It must antecede death, or it will be of no avail.

From Sermons on Various Important Subjects by Lee, Andrew

And when we consider the assurances given us, that these declensions were to antecede the universal prevalence of true religion; they may also serve to increase our hope.

From Sermons on Various Important Subjects by Lee, Andrew

Convictions, ordinarily, if not invariably, antecede conversion, prepare for it, and lead to it.

From Sermons on Various Important Subjects by Lee, Andrew

Moreover, these parts cannot antecede this one all-embracing space, as the component parts from which the aggregate can be made up, but can be cogitated only as existing in it.

From The Critique of Pure Reason by Meiklejohn, John Miller Dow

Then we shall have, so to speak, the second and third terms; and from these it won't be difficult, I think, to calculate the term which should antecede them, namely, temperament.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

Related Words

• anticipate
• foreshadow
• predate
• presage