precede

Etymology

From Middle French précéder, from Latin praecēdō, from prae- + cēdō.

verb

1. (transitive) To go before, go in front of.
   Cultural genocide precedes physical genocide.
   An interesting feature in the weeks preceding the diversions was the provision of a road-learning train to familiarise main line drivers with the alternative route. 1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 102
2. (transitive) To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce.
   It has been usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration communicated to the enemy. 1832, James Kent, Commentaries on American Law, Volume 1, page 52
3. (transitive) To have higher rank than (someone or something else).

noun

1. Brief editorial preface (usually to an article or essay)