preceding

previous, foregoing, preceding, prior, former

动词 precede:

1. be earlier in time; go back further
   同义词：predate, precede, forego, forgo, antecede, antedate
2. come before
   同义词：precede, predate
3. be the predecessor of
   同义词：precede, come before
4. move ahead (of others) in time or space
   同义词：precede, lead
5. furnish with a preface or introduction
   同义词：precede, preface, premise, introduce

形容词 preceding:

1. existing or coming before
2. preceding in time or order
   同义词：antecedent
3. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
   同义词：past, retiring

1. In the years immediately preceding the outbreak of war in1939, Hitler succeeded in annexing various parts of Europe to Germany without firing a shot.
   在1939年大战爆发的前几年，希特勒没开一抢而成功地把欧洲许多地区并吞为德国领土。
2. A preceding occurrence, cause, or event.
   先前的前面的事件，事情
3. An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface.
   序幕先于较重要部分的介绍性表演，事件或行动; 开端或序
4. This point has been dealt with in the preceding paragraph.
   这一点在前面一段里已经交代过了。

pre.ced.ing

adj.Abbr. prec.（形容词）缩写 prec.
Existing or coming before another or others in time, place, rank, or sequence; previous.
在前的，在先的：在时间、地方、等级或次序上比另一个或其他存在或出现都先的；先前的