antecedent

• Bezeichnet etwas, das logisch oder zeitlich vor einem anderen Ereignis, Zustand oder einer Ursache liegt. Auch: eine frühere Person oder Sache, auf die sich etwas bezieht.

Describes something that logically or chronologically precedes another event, condition, or cause.

1. Previous or priorC1formal

   Existing or occurring before in time or order.

   Vorhergehend

   • The antecedent events led to the current crisis.
   • Antecedent conditions must be considered in the analysis.
   • The antecedent period of the study was carefully documented.

   Synonymeanteriorforegoingformerprecedingpreviousprior

   Antonymeensuingfollowingresultantsubsequentsucceeding

2. Preceding in logic or grammarC2formal

   Referring to a word, phrase, or clause that is replaced by a pronoun or that logically comes before another element.

   Vorangehend in Logik oder Grammatik

   • In the sentence 'John lost his keys,' 'John' is the antecedent noun.
   • The antecedent clause in the argument was flawed.
   • Linguists study antecedent relationships in complex sentences.

   Synonymeforegoingprecedingpreviousprior

• Substantiv, das eine Person, Sache oder ein Ereignis bezeichnet, die oder das vor einem anderen existierte oder geschah; in der Grammatik das Bezugswort eines Relativpronomens, in der Logik der Vordersatz einer Implikation.

A noun referring to a thing or event that existed or occurred before another, often in the context of grammar, logic, or history.

1. Preceding event or conditionC1formal

   A thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.

   Vorausgehendes Ereignis oder Umstand

   • The antecedents of the conflict can be traced back decades.
   • Historians study the antecedents of the revolution.
   • Understanding the antecedents helps explain the current situation.

   Synonymecauseforerunneroriginprecursorpredecessorrootsource

   Antonymeconsequenceconsequenteffectoutcomeresultsequel

2. C1formal

   A person who lived before one's ancestors; a forefather.

   Vorfahre

   • His antecedents were immigrants from Ireland.
   • The family tree lists all known antecedents.
   • She researched her antecedents for a genealogy project.

   Synonymeancestorforebearforefatherprogenitor

   Antonymedescendant

3. Grammar: ReferentC2formal

   A word, phrase, or clause that is referred to by a pronoun.

   Antezedens

   • In the sentence 'John lost his keys,' 'John' is the antecedent of 'his.'
   • The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.
   • A clear antecedent helps avoid confusion in writing.

   Synonymereferent