Pre‐cede″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n.Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. See Pre-, and Cede.] 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. “Harm precedes not sin.” Milton.
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.
It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration. Kent.