Dictionary entry

Proceed

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pro‐ceed″ (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Proceeded; p. pr. & vb. n.Proceeding.] [F. procéder. fr. L. procedere, processum, to go before, to proceed; pro forward + cedere to move. See Cede.] 1. To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey.

If thou proceed in this thy insolence. Shak.

2. To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument.

3. To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun.

I proceeded forth and came from God. John viii. 42.

It proceeds from policy, not love. Shak.

4. To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design.

He that proceeds upon other principles in his inquiry. Locke.

5. To be transacted; to take place; to occur.

He will, after his sour fashion, tell you

What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. Shak.

6. To have application or effect; to operate.

This rule only proceeds and takes place when a person can not of common law condemn another by his sentence. Ayliffe.

7. (Law) To begin and carry on a legal process.

Syn. — To advance; go on; continue; progress; issue; arise; emanate.