predate meaning and definition

PREDATE verb

Definition of predate (verb)

1. be earlier in time; go back further
   • "Stone tools precede bronze tools"
   • synonyms: antecede, antedate, forego, forgo, precede
   • antonym: follow
2. come before
   • "Most English adjectives precede the noun they modify"
   • synonyms: precede
3. prey on or hunt for
   • "These mammals predate certain eggs"
   • synonyms: prey, raven
4. establish something as being earlier relative to something else
   • synonyms: antedate, foredate
   • antonym: postdate