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antécédent

antecedent, prior record

noun ahn-teh-seh-DAHN Rare
People & Society Government

Origin: From Latin 'antecedere' (to go before).

Also means

background, history

Usage Note

Antécédent is almost always used in the plural antécédents when referring to someone's past record (medical history: antécédents médicaux; criminal record: antécédents judiciaires). In grammar, it also denotes the antecedent of a relative pronoun. The singular is rarer and more technical.

Examples

"Il a des antécédents médicaux importants."

Natural Translation

He has significant medical history.

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