antecedence

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

antecedence
    n 1: preceding in time [syn: {priority}, {antecedence},
         {antecedency}, {anteriority}, {precedence}, {precedency}]
         [ant: {posteriority}, {subsequence}, {subsequentness}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Antecedence \An`te*ced"ence\, n.
   1. The act or state of going before in time; precedence. --H.
      Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Astron.) An apparent motion of a planet toward the west;
      retrogradation.
      [1913 Webster]

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