n. & adj.
--n.
1. a preceding thing or circumstance.
2 Gram. a word, phrase, clause, or sentence, to which another word (esp. a relative pronoun, usu. following) refers.
3 (in pl.) past history, esp. of a person.
4 Logic the statement contained in the 'if' clause of a conditional proposition.
--adj.
1. (often foll. by to) previous.
2 presumptive, a priori.
Derivatives:
antecedence n. antecedently adv.
Etymology: ME f. F antecedent or L antecedere (as ANTE-, cedere go)