Antecedent
[,æntɪ'siːd(ə)nt] or ['æntə'sidnt]
Definition
(noun.) the referent of an anaphor; a phrase or clause that is referred to by an anaphoric pronoun.
(noun.) a preceding occurrence or cause or event.
(noun.) anything that precedes something similar in time; 'phrenology was an antecedent of modern neuroscience'.
(adj.) preceding in time or order .
Editor: Tod--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause.
(a.) Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability.
(n.) That which goes before in time; that which precedes.
(n.) One who precedes or goes in front.
(n.) The earlier events of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history.
(n.) 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.
(n.) The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move.
(n.) The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die.
(n.) 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.
Typed by Amalia
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Preceding, precedent, previous, prior, anterior, foregoing, precursory, forerunning, going before.
n. [1]. Precursor, forerunner.[2]. (Math.) First term (of a ratio).[3]. (Gram.) Preceding noun (to which a relative refers).[4]. (Logic.) First proposition (in an enthymeme).
Editor: Michel
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See ANTERIOR]
Inputed by Doris
Definition
adj. going before in time: prior.—n. that which precedes in time: (gram.) the noun or pronoun to which a relative pronoun refers: (logic) a statement or proposition from which another is logically deduced: (math.) the antecedent of a ratio is the first of two terms which compose the ratio—the first and third in a series of four proportionals: (pl.) previous principles conduct history &c.—n. Anteced′ence.—adv. Anteced′ently.
Inputed by Elisabeth
Examples
- A mistake, therefore, of right may become a species of immorality; but it is only a secondary one, and is founded on some other, antecedent to it. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Some virtuous motive, therefore, must be antecedent to that regard. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- This value was antecedent to, and independent of their being employed as coin, and was the quality which fitted them for that employment. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- So that the impressions of reflexion are only antecedent to their correspondent ideas; but posterior to those of sensation, and derived from them. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- His instinct was to regard her as a conspirator against rather than as an antecedent obstacle to Thomasin's happiness. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- But is property, or right, or obligation, intelligible, without an antecedent morality? David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- But this supposes, that there is some antecedent rule of duty and morals. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Perceiving himself to be the antecedent, Bradley looked from the watchman to the man. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- If nature has given us no such sentiment, there is not, naturally, nor antecedent to human conventions, any such thing as property. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- What had she to do with parents and antecedents? D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Have no antecedents, no established character, no cultivation, no ideas, no manners; have Shares. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Knowing me thoroughly now--all my antecedents, all my responsibilities--having long known my faults, can you and I still be friends? Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- I would much rather not have told her anything of my antecedents, but no man could look into the depth of those eyes and refuse her slightest behest. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- Those are the antecedents, and the culmination. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Let us now inspect the individual democrat; and first, as in the case of the State, we will trace his antecedents. Plato. The Republic.
- It was the first time it had ever been so complimented, and Madame Defarge knew enough of its antecedents to know better. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Respecting de Hamal, I fear she is under an illusion; the man's character is known to me, all his antecedents, all his scrapes. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Typed by Carolyn