Definition of: previous

(prē′vē·əs) adjective
1. Being or taking place before something else in time or order; antecedent; prior to.
2. Colloq. Acting, occurring, or speaking too soon; premature. [<L praevius going before <prae- before + via way, road]
—pre′vi·ous·ly adverb
—pre′vi·ous·ness noun Synonyms: antecedent, anterior, earlier, foregoing, former, precedent, preceding, preliminary, prior. Antecedent may denote simple priority in time, implying no direct connection between that which goes before and that which follows; as, the striking of one clock may be always antecedent to the striking of another with no causal connection between them. Antecedent and previous may refer to that which goes or happens at any distance in advance, preceding is limited to that which is immediately or next before; an antecedent event may have happened at any time before; the preceding transaction is the one completed just before the one with which it is compared; a previous statement or chapter may be in any part of the book that has gone before; the preceding statement or chapter comes next before without an interval. Foregoing is used only of that which is spoken or written; as, the foregoing statements. Anterior, while it can be used of time, is coming to be employed chiefly with reference to place; as, the anterior lobes of the brain. Prior bears exclusive reference to time, and commonly where that which is first in time is first also in right; as, a prior demand. Former is used of time, or of position in written or printed matter, not of space in general. We say former times, a former chapter, etc. Former has a close relation, or sharp contrast, with something following; the former always implies the latter, even when not fully expressed. Compare ANTECEDENT. Antonyms: after, concluding, consequent, following, hind, hinder, hindmost, later, latter, posterior, subsequent, succeeding.