Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Precede
Pre-cede′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Preceded
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Preceding
.] 1.
To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything.
“Harm precedes not sin.” Milton.
2.
To go before in place, rank, or importance.
3.
To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; – used with by or with before the instrumental object.
[R.]
It is usual to
precede
hostilities by a public declaration. Kent.
Webster 1828 Edition
Precede
PRECE'DE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To go before in the order of time. The corruption of morals precedes the ruin of a state.2.
To go before in rank or importance.3.
To cause something to be before; to make to take place in prior time. It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration. [Unusual.]