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.

Preceding \Pre*ced"ing\, a.
   1. Going before; -- opposed to following.

   2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to
      move. See {Following}, 2.

Source : WordNet®

preceding
     adj 1: existing or coming before [syn: {preceding(a)}] [ant: {succeeding(a)}]
     2: preceding in time or order [syn: {antecedent}] [ant: {subsequent}]
     3: of a person who has held and relinquished a position or
        office; "a retiring member of the board" [syn: {past(a)},
        {preceding(a)}, {retiring(a)}]