/
ˌantɪˈsiːd(ə)nt/
n.
- a thing that existed before or logically precedes another.
-
(antecedents)
a person's ancestors and social background.
- Grammar an earlier word, phrase, or clause to which a following pronoun refers back.
- Logic the statement contained in the ‘if’ clause of a conditional proposition.
adj.
preceding in time or order.
Derivative
- antecedence n.
- antecedently adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. or from L. antecedent-, antecedere, from ante ‘before’ + cedere ‘go’.
