C2 adjective Formal

antecedence

/ˌæntɪˈsiːdəns/

The state or condition of preceding in time, rank, or order. It refers to the quality of being an ancestor or a prior event that influences what follows.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The doctor examined the antecedence of the patient's symptoms to determine the root cause.

The doctor examined the antecedence of the patient's symptoms to determine the root cause.

2

The legal team argued for the historical antecedence of their client's claim to the property.

The legal team argued for the historical antecedence of their client's claim to the property.

3

I don't care about the antecedence of this drama; I just want it to end.

I don't care about the antecedence of this drama; I just want it to end.

Word Family

Noun
antecedence
Verb
antecede
Adverb
antecedently
Adjective
antecedent
Related
antecedent
💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Ante' (before) + 'cede' (to go) + 'ence' (state). It is the 'state of going before'.

Quick Quiz

The philosopher argued that the ________ of existence to essence is a fundamental truth.

Correct!

The correct answer is: antecedence

Examples

1

The doctor examined the antecedence of the patient's symptoms to determine the root cause.

everyday

The doctor examined the antecedence of the patient's symptoms to determine the root cause.

2

The legal team argued for the historical antecedence of their client's claim to the property.

formal

The legal team argued for the historical antecedence of their client's claim to the property.

3

I don't care about the antecedence of this drama; I just want it to end.

informal

I don't care about the antecedence of this drama; I just want it to end.

4

Philosophical inquiry often questions the logical antecedence of thought over language.

academic

Philosophical inquiry often questions the logical antecedence of thought over language.

5

A thorough analysis of the market's antecedence provided insights into the current fiscal quarter.

business

A thorough analysis of the market's antecedence provided insights into the current fiscal quarter.

Word Family

Noun
antecedence
Verb
antecede
Adverb
antecedently
Adjective
antecedent
Related
antecedent

Common Collocations

historical antecedence historical antecedence
logical antecedence logical antecedence
establish antecedence establish antecedence
temporal antecedence temporal antecedence
claim antecedence claim antecedence

Common Phrases

in order of antecedence

in order of antecedence

of unknown antecedence

of unknown antecedence

right of antecedence

right of antecedence

Often Confused With

antecedence vs antecedent

Antecedence is the abstract state of being prior, while an antecedent is the specific thing or word that comes before.

📝

Usage Notes

This is a highly formal term typically reserved for academic, legal, or philosophical contexts. It describes the abstract concept of priority in time or logic.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'antecedence' (the state) when they mean 'antecedent' (the person or thing). It is also frequently misspelled with an 'a' instead of the second 'e'.

💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Ante' (before) + 'cede' (to go) + 'ence' (state). It is the 'state of going before'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'antecedere', where 'ante' means 'before' and 'cedere' means 'to go'.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun often followed by the preposition 'of' can be modified by adjectives like 'logical' or 'temporal'

Quick Quiz

The philosopher argued that the ________ of existence to essence is a fundamental truth.

Correct!

The correct answer is: antecedence

Related Words

ozone

B2

Ozone is a colorless gas found in the upper atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is also produced at ground level as a pollutant when sunlight reacts with industrial emissions.

layer

B2

A layer is a single thickness, sheet, or level of a material that covers a surface or is placed between other things. It can refer to physical substances like paint and geological strata, or abstract levels of complexity and meaning.

around

C2

As an adverb at a C2 level, it denotes presence, availability, or existence within a specific vicinity or context. It is also used to indicate approximate values or to describe movement or positioning that encircles a point or lacks a specific direction.

climate

B2

Climate refers to the long-term patterns of weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, in a particular region over many years. It can also describe the prevailing mood, conditions, or social atmosphere of a specific time or place.

immune

B2

Immune describes the state of being protected from a specific disease, typically through vaccination or prior exposure. It can also figuratively refer to being unaffected by something negative, such as criticism, or being exempt from certain duties or legal consequences.

virus

B2

A submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism, often causing disease. In technology, it refers to a piece of malicious code that replicates itself to damage or disrupt a computer system.

species

B2

A species is a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. It is the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomic rank in the hierarchy of living things.

business

B2

Used as an attributive adjective to describe things related to professional commerce, trade, or work activities. It distinguishes professional matters from personal, social, or recreational ones.

contract

C1

A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.

bonus

B2

A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free