Search the Dictionary

Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. "A precedent injury." Bacon. Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.

The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.

A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxillæ become united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone.

An anterior molar tooth which has replaced a deciduous molar. See Tooth.

The anterior part of the medulla oblongata. B. G. Wilder.

The anterior opercular bone in fishes.

Situated in front of, or anterior to, the mouth; as, preoral bands.

Situated in front of, or anterior to, the penis.

Situated in front of, or anterior to, the pubis; pertaining to the prepubis.

Situated in front of the sphenoid bone; of or pertaining to the anterior part of the sphenoid bone (i. e., the presphenoid bone). Presphenoid bone (Anat.), the anterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone in front of the basisphenoid. It is usually a separate bone in the young or fetus, but becomes a part of the sphe…

The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. -- Pre*ster"nal, a.

An anterior zygapophysis.

Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage.

Concave in front; as, procoelian vertebræ, which have the anterior end of the centra concave and the posterior convex.

The anterior prolongation of the guard of the phragmocone of belemnites and allied fossil cephalopods, whether horny or calcareous. See Illust. of Phragmocone.

The anterior portion of the foot of a mollusk.

The anterior of three principal cartilages in the fins of some fishes. -- Prop`ter*yg"i*al, a.

The anterior segment of the brain, including the cerebrum and olfactory lobes; the forebrain.

ivision, or subclass, of gastropod mollusks, including those that have the gills situated anteriorly, or forward of the heart, and the sexes separate.

The anterior of the body of an animal, as of a cephalopod; the thorax of an arthropod.