antecedent

• 指逻辑上或时间上先于另一事件、条件或原因的事物，即先行的、在先的。

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

1. Previous or priorC1formal

   Existing or occurring before in time or order.

   先前的

   • 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.

   同义词anteriorforegoingformerprecedingpreviousprior

   反义词ensuingfollowingresultantsubsequentsucceeding

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.

   逻辑或语法上的先行

   • 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.

   同义词foregoingprecedingpreviousprior

• 指先于另一事物存在或发生的事物，常用于语法、逻辑或历史语境中。在语法中指代词的先行词，在逻辑中指前件或前提。

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.

   前事

   • 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.

   同义词causeforerunneroriginprecursorpredecessorrootsource

   反义词consequenceconsequenteffectoutcomeresultsequel

2. C1formal

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

   祖先

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

   同义词ancestorforebearforefatherprogenitor

   反义词descendant

3. Grammar: ReferentC2formal

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

   先行词

   • 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.

   同义词referent