precede

verb ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about precede at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

1. Be earlier in time; go back further.

   Stone tools precede bronze tools

2. Come before.

   Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify

3. Be the predecessor of.

   Bill preceded John in the long line of Susan's husbands