an·te·ce·dent 
(ăn′tĭ-sēdnt)
(ăn′tĭ-sēdnt)adj.
Going before; preceding.
n.
1. One that precedes another.
2.
a. A preceding occurrence, cause, or event. See Synonyms at cause.
b. antecedents The important events and occurrences in one's early life.
3. antecedents One's ancestors.
4. Grammar The word, phrase, or clause that determines what a pronoun refers to, as the children in The teacher asked the children where they were going.
5. Mathematics The first term of a ratio.
6. Logic The conditional member of a hypothetical proposition.
an′te·cedent·ly adv.