precede

(noun, verb)

noun

1. Brief editorial preface (usually to an article or essay)

verb

1. be earlier in time; go back further

- Stone tools precede bronze tools

Similar word(s): antecede, antedate, forego, forgo, predate

Definition categories: stative

2. come before

- Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify

Similar word(s): predate

Definition categories: stative, lie

3. be the predecessor of

- Bill preceded John in the long line of Susan's husbands

Definition categories: social

4. move ahead (of others) in time or space

Similar word(s): lead

Definition categories: motion, go, locomote, move, travel

5. furnish with a preface or introduction

- She always precedes her lectures with a joke

- He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution

Similar word(s): introduce, preface, premise

Definition categories: communication, say, state, tell