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Definition antecedent

Etymology

From Middle English antecedent, borrowed from Old French antecedent, from Latin antec?d?ns (“going before”), from antec?d? (“to precede; excel; surpass”).

Adjective

antecedent (not comparable)

1. Earlier, either in time or in order.
2. Presumptive.

Noun

antecedent (plural antecedents)

1. Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
2. An ancestor.
3. (grammar) A word, phrase or clause referred to by a pronoun.
4. (logic) The conditional part of a hypothetical proposition, i.e. ${\displaystyle p\rightarrow q}$, where ${\displaystyle p}$ is the antecedent, and ${\displaystyle q}$ is the consequent.
5. (logic) The first of two subsets of a sequent, consisting of all the sequent's formulae which are valuated as true.
6. (mathematics) The first term of a ratio, i.e. the term a in the ratio a:b, the other being the consequent.
7. (chiefly in the plural) Previous principles, conduct, history, etc.