Precedence \Pre*ced"ence\, Precedency \Pre*ced"en*cy\, n. [Cf.
   F. pr['e]c['e]dence. See {Precede}.]
   1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of
      time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or
      dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable
      place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of
      commoners.
      [1913 Webster]

            Which of them [the different desires] has the
            precedency in determining the will to the next
            action?                               --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Antecedence; priority; pre["e]minence; preference;
        superiority.
        [1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

precedence
     n 1: status established in order of importance or urgency;
          "...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer
          of pharmaceuticals"; "national independence takes
          priority over class struggle" [syn: {precedency}, {priority}]
     2: preceding in time [syn: {priority}, {antecedence}, {antecedency},
         {anteriority}, {precedency}] [ant: {posteriority}]
     3: the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a
        ceremony) [syn: {precession}, {precedency}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0