preceding

(verb) be earlier in time; go back further. Synonyms: predate, precede, forego, forgo, antecede, antedate. Example: "Stone tools precede bronze tools."

(verb) come before. Synonyms: precede, predate. Example: "Most english adjectives precede the noun they modify."

(verb) be the predecessor of. Synonyms: precede, come before. Example: "Bill preceded john in the long line of susan's husbands."

(verb) move ahead (of others) in time or space. Synonyms: precede, lead.

(verb) furnish with a preface or introduction. Synonyms: precede, preface, premise, introduce. Examples: "She always precedes her lectures with a joke." "He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution."

(adj) existing or coming before. Synonyms: preceding(prenominal) (vs. succeeding).

(adj) of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office. Synonyms: past(prenominal), preceding(prenominal), retiring(prenominal). Example: "A retiring member of the board."