1. On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear.
2. In advance.
3. In time past; previously; already.
4. Earlier; sooner than; until then.
ETYM Latin antecedens, -entis, p. pr. of antecedere: cf. French antécédent.
Preceding in time or order; SYN. preceding.
Before in time; prior; Music, subject of fugue stated in first part; Grammar, previous word, especially one to which pronoun, etc., refers; pl. personal history; ancestry.