1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Precede.

2. (a.) Going before; -- opposed to following.

3. (a.) In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following.

above advanced aforegoing aforementioned ante antecedence antecedency antecedent anteposition anterior anteriority anticipatory avant-garde chief ci-devant dominion earlier early elder ere erstwhile exordial exploratory first fore foregoing foremost former front front position heading headmost heretofore hitherto in inaugural initiatory last latter le pas leading older original other past precedence precedency precedent precession precessional precurrent precursive precursor precursory preexistent prefatory preference prefixation preliminary prelude preludial prelusive preparatory prevenient previous prime prior priority proemial propaedeutic prothesis senior superiority the lead to top priority urgency van