Defn: An apparent motion of a planet toward the west; retrogradation.
ANTECEDENCY
An`te*ced"en*cy, n.
Defn: The state or condition of being antecedent; priority.
Fothherby.
ANTECEDENT An`te*ced"ent, a. Etym: [L. antecedens, -entis, p. pr. of antecedere: cf. F. antécédent.]
1. Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause.
2. Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability.
Syn.
— Prior; previous; foregoing.
ANTECEDENT
An`te*ced"ent, n. Etym: [Cf. F. antécédent.]
1. That which goes before in time; that which precedes. South. The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its antecedents. Max Miller.
2. One who precedes or goes in front. [Obs.] My antecedent, or my gentleman usher. Massinger.