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- Dictionaryantecedent/ˌantɪˈsiːd(ə)nt/
noun
- 1. a thing that existed before or logically precedes another: "some antecedents to the African novel might exist in Africa's oral traditions" Similar
- 2. a person's ancestors or family and social background: "her early life and antecedents have been traced" Similar Opposite
adjective
- 1. preceding in time or order; previous or pre-existing: "antecedent events"
- 2. denoting or counting as an antecedent.
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ANTECEDENT definition: 1. someone or something existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of…. Learn more.
The meaning of ANTECEDENT is a substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun that typically follows the substantive (such as John in 'Mary saw John and called to him'); broadly : a word or phrase replaced by a substitute. How to use antecedent in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Antecedent.
someone or something existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of something existing or happening later: Charles Babbage's mechanical calculating engines were the antecedents of the modern computer. Many people feel a great curiosity to find out about their antecedents. languagespecialized.
a word, phrase, or clause, usually a substantive, that is replaced by a pronoun or other substitute later, or occasionally earlier, in the same or in another, usually subsequent, sentence. In Jane lost a glove and she can't find it, Jane is the antecedent of she and glove is the antecedent of it.
Sep 22, 2024 · antecedent n (plural antecedenten, diminutive antecedentje n) antecedent (thing that precedes; prior fact, background fact) (linguistics) antecedent (referent of a word, esp. of a pronoun) antecedent (condition part of a proposition)
Define antecedent. antecedent synonyms, antecedent pronunciation, antecedent translation, English dictionary definition of antecedent. adj. Going before; preceding. n. 1. One that precedes another. 2. a. A preceding occurrence, cause, or event. See Synonyms at cause. b. antecedents The...
An antecedent is a thing that comes before something else. You might think rap music has no historical antecedent, but earlier forms of African-American spoken verse go back for centuries.
Definition of antecedent noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Going or coming before in time, order, or logic; prior; previous; preceding. Webster's New World. Earlier, either in time or order. An event antecedent to the Biblical Flood. An antecedent cause. Wiktionary. Presumptive. An antecedent improbability. Wiktionary.
an•te•ced•ent (an′tə sēd′ nt), adj. preceding; prior: an antecedent event. n. a preceding circumstance, event, object, style, phenomenon, etc. antecedents: ancestors. the history, events, characteristics, etc., of one's earlier life: Little is known about his birth and antecedents.
