Definition:Antecedent
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Definition
Let $P = a \circ b$ be an expression.
The term $a$ is known as the antecedent of $P$.
Linguistic Note
The word antecedent is usually found in classical mathematical literature, notably Euclid's The Elements.
It is also frequently used in the context of logic to mean the first term in a conditional statement.
The word comes from the Greek, and literally means leading term.
Source
- Sir Thomas L. Heath: Euclid: The Thirteen Books of The Elements (1908): Volume $2$: Book V, Note on Definition $11$
