Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - preceding

 adjective  Date: 15th century that immediately precedes in time or place the ~ day ~ paragraphs Synonyms:  ~, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. ~ usually implies being immediately before in time or in place the ~ sentence. antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation conditions antecedent to the revolution. foregoing applies chiefly to statements the foregoing remarks. previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance a child from a previous marriage a prior obligation. former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter the former name of the company. anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order the anterior lobe of the brain.