ANTECEDENT

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

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Etymology

Adjective

antecedent (not comparable)

Earlier, either in time or in order.

Presumptive.

Noun

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. $$ p\to q$$, where $$ p$$ is the antecedent, and $$ q$$ 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.

Synonyms

• (something which precedes): precedent, precursor

• (an ancestor): ascendant, ascendent, forebear, forefather, forerunner, predecessor, progenitor

Antonyms

• (in logic): consequent, (for sequents) succedent

• (in linguistics): anaphor

Holonyms

• conditional

• See argument form

Source: Wiktionary

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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

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