Precede /(?)/

Pre·cede

Precede

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.
  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.