Antecedent

Antecedent may refer to:

Science

 * Antecedent (behavioral psychology), the stimulus that occurs before a trained behavior
 * Antecedent (genealogy), antonym of descendant, genealogical predecessor in family line
 * Antecedent (logic), the first half of a hypothetical proposition
 * Antecedent moisture, in hydrology, the relative wetness condition of a catchment

Language

 * Antecedent (grammar), the previously occurring noun phrase to which a pro-form refers
 * Generic antecedent, representatives of classes, referred to in ordinary language by another word

Other uses

 * Antecedent (law), the history of a defendant
 * Antecedent phrase, in music