Definition of Antecedent
Antecedent
an·te·ced·ent
Definition/Meaning
(noun)
a substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun;
e.g. An antecedent is the word Seth in this sentence: Seth loves his fish.
(adjective)
to come before an event, condition, or cause;
e.g. The epilogue is an antecedent to the main story.
(adjective)
Predecessor, such a model for later influences or developments;
e.g. They used the court case as an antecedent to ascertain what judgments and tactics should be considered.
(noun)
conditional element in a proposition (e.g. if A occurs, then B happens);
e.g. To propose is the antecedent for getting married.
(noun)
(mathematics) the first term in a ratio;
e.g. In the ratio 3 to 4 (3:4) 3 is the antecedent and 4 is the consequent.
(adjective)
that which is prior;
e.g. Her antecedent symptoms were the indicators of her need for surgery.
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