Definition of "antecedent" []

• Going before; preceding. (adjective)
• One that precedes another. (noun)
• A preceding occurrence, cause, or event. See Synonyms at cause. (noun)
• The important events and occurrences in one's early life. (noun)
• One's ancestors. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "-- From what words is the term antecedent derived?"
• "LL has some great examples of singular they even when the gender of the antecedent is not in doubt, and MWDCEU has one where the antecedent is any young lady!"
• "Howard's most obvious antecedent is my older brother Hank, who was profoundly autistic throughout his life."