(ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: from present participle of precede
1. : that precedes : going before (as in order, rank, time, or place)
had not eaten since the preceding day
already stated in the preceding paragraph
2. : west of or moving in the direction toward which stars appear to travel by diurnal motion — compare following