v. pre·ced·ed, pre·ced·ing, pre·cedes v.tr. 1. To come, exist, or occur before in time: A lecture preceded the movie. 2. To be in front of or prior to in order: A precedes B in the alphabet. 3. To go in advance of: A marching band preceded the float. 4. To preface; introduce: preceded her lecture with a funny anecdote. v.intr. To be before in time, order, or position. [Middle English preceden, from Old French preceder, from Latin praecēdere : prae-, pre- + cēdere, to go; see ked- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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