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Definition of precede - 3 dictionary results

pre⋅cede

  [pri-seed] verb, -ced⋅ed, -ced⋅ing, noun
Use precede in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time.
2. to introduce by something preliminary; preface: to precede one's statement with a qualification.
–verb (used without object)
3. to go or come before.
–noun
4. Journalism. copy printed at the beginning of a news story presenting late bulletins, editorial notes, or prefatory remarks.
Origin:
1325–75; ME preceden < L praecēdere. See pre-, cede

Related forms:
pre⋅ced⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To precede
pre·cede   (prĭ-sēd')   
v.   pre·ced·ed, pre·ced·ing, pre·cedes

v.   tr.

  1. To come, exist, or occur before in time.

  2. To come before in order or rank; surpass or outrank.

  3. To be in a position in front of; go in advance of.

  4. To preface; introduce: preceded her lecture with a funny anecdote.

v.   intr.
To come or go before in time, order, rank, or position.

[Middle English preceden, from Old French preceder, from Latin praecēdere : prae-, pre- + cēdere, to go; see ked- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

precede 
1485, "to go before" in rank or importance, from M.Fr. preceder, from L. præcedere "to go before," from præ- "before" + cedere "to go" (see cede). Meaning "to walk in front of" is from 1530; that of "to come before in time" is attested from 1540.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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