adjective
Earlier, either in time or in order.
Presumptive.
noun
Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
An ancestor.
(grammar) A word, phrase or clause referred to by a pronoun or other pro-form.
(logic) The conditional part of a hypothetical proposition, i.e. p→q, where p is the antecedent, and q is the consequent.
(logic) The first of two subsets of a sequent, consisting of all the sequent's formulae which are valuated as true.
(mathematics) The first term of a ratio, i.e. the term a in the ratio a:b, the other being the consequent.
(chiefly in the plural) Previous principles, conduct, history, etc.