antecedent

¹an·te·ced·ent

noun \ˌan-tə-ˈsē-d^ənt\

Definition of ANTECEDENT

1

: a substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun (as John in “Mary saw John and called to him”); broadly : a word or phrase replaced by a substitute

2

: the conditional element in a proposition (as if A in “if A, then B”)

3

: the first term of a mathematical ratio

4

a : a preceding event, condition, or cause b plural : the significant events, conditions, and traits of one's earlier life

5

a : predecessor; especially : a model or stimulus for later developments b plural : ancestors, parents

Examples of ANTECEDENT

1. “John” is the antecedent of the pronoun “him” in “Mary saw John and thanked him.”
2. <what are the antecedents of the American Revolutionary War?>

Origin of ANTECEDENT

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin antecedent-, antecedens, from Latin, what precedes, from neuter of antecedent-, antecedens, present participle of antecedere to go before, from ante- + cedere to go

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ANTECEDENT

Synonyms: cause, causality, causation, occasion, reason

Antonyms: aftereffect, aftermath, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

Related Words: consideration, determinant, factor; alpha and omega, be-all and end-all; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Near Antonyms: ramification; denouement (also dénouement), repercussion; conclusion, end; by-product, side effect (also side reaction)

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile