antecedent

Short definition from Wiktionary

Adjective

1. 1
   Earlier, either in time or in order.
2. 2
   Presumptive.

Noun

1. 1
   Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
2. 2
   An ancestor.
3. 3
   A word, phrase or clause referred to by a pronoun or other pro-form.
4. 4
   The conditional part of a hypothetical proposition, i.e. p→q, where p is the antecedent, and q is the consequent.
5. 5
   The first of two subsets of a sequent, consisting of all the sequent's formulae which are valuated as true.
6. 6
   The first term of a ratio, i.e. the term a in the ratio a:b, the other being the consequent.
7. 7
   Previous principles, conduct, history, etc.