preceding in time

status established in order of importance or urgency; "... its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals"; " national independence takes priority over class struggle"

the act of preceding ( as in a ceremony)

the act of preceding in time or order or rank ( as in a ceremony)

Alt. of Precedency

Precedent.

The act or right of going before; superiority in rank. Also, precedency.

Priority; superior rank or importance.

The act or right of preceding. precedency.

Precedencely.

The act of going before in time, rank, dignity or the place of honour; the foremost place in a ceremony; superiority.

State of going or being before; priority; the right to a more honourable place.

And in the matter of precedence and the number of guns for ceremonial salutation, the Chief of Mewar- like other poor but proud nobles- is treated rather according to his actual power than the cloudless blue of his blood. – A Holiday in the Happy Valley with Pen and Pencil by T. R. Swinburne

She had given due reverence to persons older than herself; it was the fashion in those days; she had acknowledged a certain social precedence in ladies who were leaders of society and heads of families; she had never had such a feeling of being set down, as before this young, pure, stately creature. – A Red Wallflower by Susan Warner

But I pray, Master, tell me whether her Majesty takes notice of this question of precedence or did she wish to confer with me about it? – A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. by Bulstrode Whitelocke

The others were at the steps waiting for her to take her place, but a quick glance had let her see that one of the six seats is occupied; and determined to have the man she loves beside her, she says quickly: " Never mind precedence 'tis only a picnic; every one of you secure seats; I shall wait here with the Colonel for Sir Peter Tedril." – A Heart-Song of To-day by Annie Gregg Savigny

What would your Excellence expect in matter of precedence as in case you should meet with any other ambassador at the masque? – A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. by Bulstrode Whitelocke

Alternate the precedence I mean? – Ministry of Disturbance by Henry Beam Piper

Precedence was given to the paper, and a keen, intelligent, handsome young man of thirty stepped up to the lecturer's table with a roll of papers in his hand. – The Man with a Shadow by George Manville Fenn

When Maham had got about seventy men and Horry not yet a troop, both their commissions being of the same date, they quarreled about precedence in rank; and although Gov. – A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion by William Dobein James

She could even cheerfully yield precedence in trifles, which is the greatest trial of all. – Cowper by Goldwin Smith

That which has the precedence in value has not the precedence in time. – Problems of Poverty by John A. Hobson

There was little love between him and Monmouth, for he had been bitterly offended by the honours and precedence assigned to the Duke; only a momentary coincidence of interest bound them together in this scheme. – Simon Dale by Anthony Hope

To allow this kind of " importation," would be to allow not merely the importation of foreign " persons," but also of foreign laws to take precedence of our own. – The Unconstitutionality of Slavery by Lysander Spooner

Chopin conducted himself in Paris very much en prince, according to Von Lenz, and such a sacrilege to the laws of precedence naturally was unpardonable. – The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 1 by Rupert Hughes

He has shown himself capable of controlling an Emperor, and of giving precedence to a woman. – A Handbook to the Works of Browning (6th ed.) by Mrs. Sutherland Orr

He remembered that when he was only prior of Coussay, Grandier disputed precedence with him and gained it; I fear this achievement of precedence in life will make poor Grandier precede the Cardinal in death also. – Cinq Mars, Complete by Alfred de Vigny Last Updated: March 3, 2009

The former, being the most simple, the most elementary, and also requisite to be used before the pupil is prepared for the latter, should, without doubt, take precedence of all the rest, and be made familiar in the first place. – The Grammar of English Grammars by Goold Brown

Sometimes it seems as though this should take precedence of all other colleges. – Oxford by Frederick Douglas How

He even took precedence of the first ministers of state. – Genghis Khan, Makers of History Series by Jacob Abbott

No one of these light- hearted ladies takes any particular precedence over the others. – The Ways of Men by Eliot Gregory

The field for precedence is it not a broad one, and close at hand? – Humanity in the City by E. H. Chapin