be earlier in time; go back further; Stone tools precede bronze tools

[ Syn: precede , forego , forgo , antecede , antedate ]

come before; Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify

[ Syn: precede ]

prey on or hunt for; These mammals predate certain eggs

[ Syn: raven , prey ]

establish something as being earlier relative to something else

[ Syn: antedate , foredate ]