preceding
 (a.)在先的,在前的,前面的


 preceding
 前導


 Pre·cede v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding.]
 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. “Harm precedes not sin.”
 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.   --Kent.

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 Pre·ced·ing, a.
 1. Going before; -- opposed to following.
 2. Astron. In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.

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 preceding
      adj 1: existing or coming before [syn: preceding(a)] [ant: succeeding(a)]
      2: preceding in time or order [syn: antecedent] [ant: subsequent]
      3: of a person who has held and relinquished a position or
         office; "a retiring member of the board" [syn: past(a),
         preceding(a), retiring(a)]