/ prɪˈsiːd; NAmE / verb
1.
to happen before sth or come before sth/sb in order :
[ vn ]
the years preceding the war
His resignation was preceded by weeks of speculation.
She preceded me in the job.
[ v ]
See the preceding chapter.
2.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to go in front of sb :
She preceded him out of the room.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- precede sth with sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French preceder , from Latin praecedere , from prae before + cedere go.