Pre*cede" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. See Pre-, and Cede.] 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." Milton.

2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.

3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.]

It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration.

• go before, go in front of
  
• have higher rank than
  
  Italian
• third-person singular indicative present of precedere