PRECEDE

precede. Precede, v.t. to go before in rank or time

---

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. 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. “Harm precedes not sin.” Milton.
2. 2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.
3. 3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; — used with by or with before the instrumental object.
It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration. Kent.