Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Antecedent
Anˊte-ced′ent
,Adj.
[L.
antecedens
, -entis
, p. pr. of antecedere
: cf. F. antécédent
.] 1.
Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding;
as, an event
antecedent
to the Deluge; an antecedent
cause.2.
Presumptive;
as, an
. antecedent
improbability
Syn. – Prior; previous; foregoing.
Anˊte-ced′ent
,Noun.
[Cf. F.
antécédent
.] 1.
That which goes before in time; that which precedes.
South.
The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its
antecedents
. Max Miller.
2.
One who precedes or goes in front.
[Obs.]
My
antecedent
, or my gentleman usher. Massinger.
3.
pl.
The earlier events of one’s life; previous principles, conduct, course, history.
J. H. Newman.
If the troops . . . prove worthy of their
antecedents
, the victory is surely ours. Gen. G. McClellan.
4.
(Gram.)
The noun to which a relative refers;
as, in the sentence “Solomon was the prince who built the temple,”
. prince
is the antecedent
of who
5.
(Logic)
(a)
The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move.
(b)
The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die.
6.
(Math.)
The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent.
Webster 1828 Edition
Antecedent
ANTECE'DENT
,Adj.
ANTECE'DENT
,Noun.
In mathematics, the first of two terms of a ratio, or that which is compared with the other.
Definition 2024
antécédent
antécédent
See also: antecedent
French
Adjective
antécédent m (feminine singular antécédente, masculine plural antécédents, feminine plural antécédentes)
Noun
antécédent m (plural antécédents)
- antecedent (any thing that precedes another thing)
- (grammar) antecedent