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Antedated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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antedated

[ˈæntɪˌdeɪtɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in legal contexts

To be dated before the actual date; to assign an earlier date to an event or document than it actually occurred.

Synonyms

backdate, predate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
antedated

Used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something has been assigned an earlier date than the actual one.

  • The contract was antedated to ensure it complied with the old regulations
predate

Often used in historical, scientific, or casual discussions to indicate that something existed or occurred before another thing.

  • Dinosaurs predate humans by millions of years
backdate

Commonly used in business and administrative contexts where documents or agreements are given an earlier date for practical purposes.

  • The insurance claim was backdated to cover the incident

Examples of usage

  • The contract was antedated to avoid legal issues.
  • The signature on the document had been antedated by several weeks.
Context #2 | Verb

in historical contexts

To precede in time; to come before in chronological order.

Synonyms

come before, precede.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
antedated

Used to indicate that a document or event occurred earlier than something else. Typically utilized in formal or legal contexts.

  • The contract was antedated to secure the deal before the new regulations came into effect

Examples of usage

  • The discovery of this ancient artifact antedates the arrival of the first settlers.
  • The origins of this tradition antedate written records.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • In legal contexts, antedating a document can affect its validity and can lead to questions of fraud.
  • Some contracts require that certain documents are antedated to reflect negotiations or agreements made in the past.
  • Antedating can also influence court cases, particularly in matters of intellectual property.

History

  • Historical documents often get antedated to reflect traditional customs or ways of keeping records.
  • In archaeology, artifacts might be antedated based on the materials used, which can lead to reevaluating timelines.
  • Antedating can sometimes cause disputes about the correct interpretation of historical events.

Literature

  • In literature, an author might choose to antedate a fictional letter or document to reveal character motivations.
  • Some novels play with time, using antedated events to create suspense or backstory.
  • Famous historical novels often include antedated documents to enhance realism and offer depth to the plot.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters may find antedated love letters, leading to comedic or dramatic moments.
  • The concept of antedating is used in mystery genres where past events influence the present investigation.
  • Popular shows sometimes portray characters antedating documents to manipulate situations to their advantage.

Origin of 'antedated'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'ante', meaning 'before', and 'datum', meaning 'something given or dated'.
  • In English, it first appeared in the mid-19th century, commonly used in legal and historical contexts.
  • The use of 'antedate' often implies that something is older than what was recorded or perceived.

The word 'antedated' comes from the combination of 'ante-' meaning 'before' and 'dated'. It originated in the early 17th century and has been used in legal and historical contexts to refer to events or documents that are assigned an earlier date than they actually occurred. The term is commonly used to describe actions that precede others in time, providing a chronological perspective in various fields.

See also: backdate, dated, dating, outdate, outdated, predate.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,542, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.