[a. Fr. antécédent, ad. L. antecēdent-em, pr. pple. of antecēd-ĕre: see ANTECEDE.]
1. Going before, preceding, in time or order.
1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg., 67 b/1. Apostemes … come sometymes of a primityue cause, but for the moost parte of a cause antecedent.
1588. Fraunce, Lawiers Log., I. viii. 43 b. Some adjuncts bee antecedent or going before.
1646. S. Bolton, Arraign. Errour, 245. Whereuer the Antecedent duty was euer truly done, the consequent priviledge was never denied.
1830. Coleridge, Table T., 91. Even in dreams nothing is fancied without an antecedent quasi cause.
1841. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), VI. 275. Whose little finger was heavier than the loins of the antecedent tyranny.
b. with to (unto obs.).
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. ii. 70. Antecedent to the act of seeing.
1745. Wesley, Answ. Ch., 15. My Love to them was antecedent to any such Agreement.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 2. A period antecedent to all contemporary … records.
c. quasi-adv.; = ANTECEDENTLY 1 b.
1774. J. Bryant, Mythol., II. 294. The name was imposed antecedent to his birth.
1804. Earl Lauderdale, Public Wealth, 100. The same proportion which existed antecedent to the increase of production.
2. ellipt. Previous to investigation; presumptive, à priori.
1794. Paley, Evid., III. iv. § 2. The cause … assigned for the rejection of Christianity by men of rank and learning among the Heathens, namely, a strong antecedent contempt.
1865. Seeley, Ecce Homo, ii. (1866), 10. And if they are once admitted, the antecedent improbability of many miracles less strongly attested is much diminished.
1876. Gladstone, Hom. Synch., 271. The antecedent likelihood of Homer’s possession of Egyptian knowledge.
