preceding

previous, foregoing, preceding, prior, former

这些形容词均可表示“在前的”之意。
previous: 指时间上、顺序上较早的，或指正在谈论的某事的前一个。
foregoing: 指前所述的，是following的反义词。
preceding: 特指时间和地位上紧接在前。
prior: 与previous同义，常可换用，但prior有时强调更大的重要性，对比意味强。
former: 系latter的反义词，比prior更着重对比。

动词 precede:

1. be earlier in time; go back further
   同义词：predate, precede, forego, forgo, antecede, antedate
2. come before
   同义词：precede, predate
3. be the predecessor of
   同义词：precede, come before
4. move ahead (of others) in time or space
   同义词：precede, lead
5. furnish with a preface or introduction
   同义词：precede, preface, premise, introduce

形容词 preceding:

1. existing or coming before
2. preceding in time or order
   同义词：antecedent
3. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
   同义词：past, retiring

1. In the years immediately preceding the outbreak of war in1939, Hitler succeeded in annexing various parts of Europe to Germany without firing a shot.
   在1939年大战爆发的前几年，希特勒没开一抢而成功地把欧洲许多地区并吞为德国领土。
2. A preceding occurrence, cause, or event.
   先前的前面的事件，事情
3. An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface.
   序幕先于较重要部分的介绍性表演，事件或行动; 开端或序
4. This point has been dealt with in the preceding paragraph.
   这一点在前面一段里已经交代过了。