The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Preceding \Pre*ced"ing\, a.
   1. Going before; -- opposed to following.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to
      move. See Following, 2.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Precede \Pre*cede"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Preceding.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before
   + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. pr['e]ceder. See
   Pre-, and Cede.]
   1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with
      relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.
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   3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used
      with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            It is usual to precede hostilities by a public
            declaration.                          --Kent.
      [1913 Webster] Precedence

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

preceding
    adj 1: existing or coming before [ant: succeeding(a)]
    2: of a person who has held and relinquished a position or
       office; "a retiring member of the board" [syn: past(a),
       preceding(a), retiring(a)]