antecedent

antecedent

n.经历； <数>（比例）前项； <逻>前件； 祖先

adj.在前的，在先的，先行的

网 络

前件；前项；先行的；先例

antecedent    /ˌæn.tiˈsiː.d ə nt/  /-t ̬ə-/  noun   [ C  ]

1.  formal      someone or something existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of something existing or happening later

    Charles Babbage's mechanical calculating engines were the antecedents of the modern computer.    

  Many people feel a great curiosity to find out about their antecedents.  

2.  specialized      a word or phrase which a pronoun refers back to

    In the sentence 'He picked a book off the shelf and handed it to Sally, 'book' is the antecedent of 'it'.