[pre.cede] vb pre.ced.ed ; pre.ced.ing [ME, fr. MF preceder, fr. L praecedere, fr. prae- pre- + cedere to go] vt (15c) 1: to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance
2: to be, go, or come ahead or in front of
3: to be earlier than
4: to cause to be preceded: preface ~ vi: to go or come before