An`te*ced"ent (#), a. [L. antecedens, -entis, p. pr. of antecedere: cf. F. ant'ec'edent.]
1.
Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause.
2.
Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability.
Syn. -- Prior; previous; foregoing.
© Webster 1913.
An`te*ced"ent, n. [Cf. F. ant'ec'edent.]
1.
That which goes before in time; that which precedes.
South.
The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its antecedents.
Max Miller.
2.
One who precedes or goes in front.
[Obs.]
My antecedent, or my gentleman usher.
Massinger.
3. pl.
The earlier events of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history.
J. H. Newman.
If the troops . . . prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours.
Gen. G. McClellan.
4. Gram.
The noun to which a relative refers; as, in the sentence "Solomon was the prince who built the temple," prince is the antecedent of who.
5. Logic (a)
The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move.
(b)
The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die.
6. Math.
The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent.
© Webster 1913.