preceding
adj. 先前的，前面的
v. 在……之前发生（或出现）；走在……前面（precede 的现在分词形式）
例句
As we saw in the preceding chapter, groups can be powerful agents of socialization.
如我们在前一章所见，团组可以是社会化的有力动因。
《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》
She informed us that eighteen members of the staff had left during the preceding year.
她当时告知我们，18位教职员在此前的一年里离开了。
We shall be known better than any preceding generations.
我们将比前几代人更出名。
