antecedent
|an-te-ced-ent|
/ˌæn.tɪˈsiː.dənt/
preceding
Etymology
'antecedent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'antecedens,' where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'cedere' meant 'to go.'
'antecedens' transformed into the Old French word 'antecedent,' and eventually became the modern English word 'antecedent' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'going before,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'preceding in time or order.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.
The antecedent to the modern computer was the mechanical calculator.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in grammar, a word, phrase, or clause that is replaced by a pronoun or other substitute later, or occasionally earlier, in the same or in another, usually subsequent, sentence.
In the sentence 'The car that he bought was expensive,' 'car' is the antecedent of 'that.'
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/21 14:51