Antecedent

Antecedent, literally going before, is a thing or event preceding before another. Thus a person's antecedents include his ancestors, family members or social background preceding in time or order. The words, phrase, clause, or sentence occurring prior to the referring expression is also called antecedent in grammar. In mathematics it is the first term in a ratio, and in logic it is the statement contained in the 'if' clause.

Nearby pages
Antechamber, Antechapel, Antechinus, Antedating, Antediluvian