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.
An`te*ced"ent*ly (&?;), adv. Previously; before in time; at a time preceding; as, antecedently to conversion. Barrow.
An`te*ces"sor (&?;), n. [L., fr. antecedere, antecessum. See Antecede, Ancestor.] 1. One who goes before; a predecessor.
The successor seldom prosecuting his antecessor's devices.
Sir E. Sandys.