antedate

American  

[an-ti-deyt, an-ti-deyt, an-ti-deyt] / ˈæn tɪˌdeɪt, ˌæn tɪˈdeɪt, ˈæn tɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

antedated, antedating

1. to be of older date than; precede in time.

   The Peruvian empire antedates the Mexican empire.

2. predate.

3. to assign to an earlier date.

   to antedate a historical event.

4. to cause to return to an earlier time.

   to antedate one's thoughts by remembering past events.

5. to cause to happen sooner; accelerate.

   The cold weather antedated their departure from the country.

6. Archaic. to take or have in advance; anticipate.

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noun

1. a prior date.

antedate British  

verb

1. to be or occur at an earlier date than

2. to affix a date to (a document, etc) that is earlier than the actual date

3. to assign a date to (an event, etc) that is earlier than its previously assigned date

4. to cause to occur sooner

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noun

1. an earlier date

Etymology

Origin of antedate

1570–80; earlier antidate < Middle French antidater, derivative of antidate a date earlier than the true date (by association with anté- ante- ), originally a date put in place of another date; ante-, date ¹

Example Sentences

This selection, which includes several cartoons that antedate the age of Trump, showcases several modes.

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2017

These stones antedate even the long-ago, medieval world in which this “Macbeth” is set.

From New York Times • Jun. 5, 2014

Robert Hooke, not long after, suggested that the fossil record would form the basis for a chronology that would “far antedate ... even the very pyramids.”

From Scientific American • Oct. 20, 2013

Historically the city and the civilization at Quito antedate Columbus and hark back to glorious Inca times.

From Time Magazine Archive

They rest in *nature and antedate all creeds and churches, and will survive them.

From The Eliminator; or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets by Westbrook, Richard B.