verb (used with object), an·te·ced·ed, an·te·ced·ing.
- to go before, in time, order, rank, etc.; precede: Shakespeare antecedes Milton.
verb
- (tr) to go before, as in time, order, etc; precede
early 15c., from Latin antecedere “to go before” (see antecedent). Related: Anteceded; anteceding.