You can overdose on coffee if you drink about 30 cups in a brief period to get close to a lethal dosage of caffeine.
antecedent
(adjective) preceding in time or order
antecedent
(noun) the referent of an anaphor; a phrase or clause that is referred to by an anaphoric pronoun
antecedent
(noun) a preceding occurrence or cause or event
ancestor, ascendant, ascendent, antecedent, root
(noun) someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
antecedent, forerunner
(noun) anything that precedes something similar in time; “phrenology was an antecedent of modern neuroscience”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
antecedent (not comparable)
Earlier, either in time or in order.
Presumptive.
antecedent (plural antecedents)
Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
An ancestor.
(grammar) A word, phrase or clause referred to by a pronoun.
• H. W. Fowler, A Dictionary of Modern English Usage
(logic) The conditional part of a hypothetical proposition, i.e. , where is the antecedent, and is the consequent.
(logic) The first of two subsets of a sequent, consisting of all the sequent's formulae which are valuated as true.
(math) The first term of a ratio, i.e. the term a in the ratio a:b, the other being the consequent.
(mostly, in the plural) Previous principles, conduct, history, etc.
• (something which precedes): precedent, precursor
• (an ancestor): ascendant, ascendent, forebear, forefather, forerunner, predecessor, progenitor
• (in logic): consequent, (for sequents) succedent
• (in linguistics): anaphor
• conditional
• See argument form
Source: Wiktionary
An`te*ced"ent, a. Etym: [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.
An`te*ced"ent, n. Etym: [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.
Definition: 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.)
Definition: 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.)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
2 April 2025
(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”
You can overdose on coffee if you drink about 30 cups in a brief period to get close to a lethal dosage of caffeine.