Pre-cēd'ence or Pre-cēd'en-cy, n.

n. [O. Fr. précédence, Sp. precedencia, It. precedenza. See infra.]

1. The act or state of being precedent; a going before; priority in position, rank, or time; as, the precedence of one event to another.
2. The state of going or being before in rank or dignity or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; prior or superior rank.

Precedence went in truck, And he was competent whose purse was so. Cooper. Which of the different desires has precedency in determining the will to the next action? Locke. Syn.—Antecedence; priority; pre-eminence; preference; superiority.