Precedir

Precedir is a verb found in some Romance languages, most notably Portuguese, used to express the idea of going before something in time, order, or importance. It is a cognate of the Latin praecedere, formed from prae- meaning before and cedere meaning to go or yield. In contemporary usage, many speakers prefer the more common verb preceder or its equivalent in each language, and precedir is often described as archaic, regional, or literary.

Usage and status: In modern Portuguese, precedir is rarely used in daily speech and is typically encountered in historical texts, philological discussions, or certain formal registers. In such contexts it retains the same broad senses as preceder—signifying that one element comes before another in sequence, chronology, or priority. The exact frequencies and acceptability of precedir can vary by dialect and speaker, with some considering it a stylistic or historical variant rather than a standard form.

Etymology and related terms: The verb derives from Latin praecedere, reinforcing its semantic link to going before. Related terms in the same semantic field include predecessor (a person or thing that comes before another) and precedence (the condition of coming before in order or priority).

See also: Predecessor, Precedence, Praecedere.

Note: As a less common form, precedir is typically encountered in linguistic references rather than as a everyday verb in modern usage.