preceding
     adj 1: existing or coming before [syn: {preceding(a)}] [ant: {succeeding(a)}]
     2: preceding in time or order [syn: {antecedent}] [ant: {subsequent}]
     3: of a person who has held and relinquished a position or
        office; "a retiring member of the board" [syn: {past(a)},
        {preceding(a)}, {retiring(a)}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0