precedence
/ˈpɹɛsɪd(ə)ns/ noun
Forms precedences
- noun The state of preceding in importance or priority. “Family takes precedence over work, in an emergency.”
- noun Precedent.
Synonyms
precedency priority antecedence antecedency anteriority precession
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle French précédence (“the state of preceding, anteriority”). Morphologically precede + -ence.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.
- noun The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners.
Etymology [Cf. F. précédence. See Precede.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “precedence”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details