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. préceder. 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.
Hear it pronounced