Definition: precede

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

precede
     v 1: be earlier in time; go back further [syn: predate, forego,
           antecede, antedate] [ant: postdate]
     2: come before; "Most English adjectives precede the noun they
        modify" [syn: predate]
     3: be the predecessor of [syn: come before] [ant: succeed]
     4: move ahead (of others) in time or space [syn: lead] [ant:
        follow]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Precede \Pre*cede"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before
   + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. pr['e]ceder. See
   Pre-, and Cede.]
   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.