precede

views updated

pre·cede / priˈsēd/ • v. [tr.] come before (something) in time: a gun battle had preceded the explosions. ∎  come before in order or position: take time to read the chapters that precede the recipes | [as adj.] (preceding) the preceding pages. ∎  go in front or ahead of: he let her precede him through the gate. ∎  (precede something with) preface or introduce something with: he preceded the book with a collection of poems.