Antecedens

Lat. [from antecedere, to go before.] Going before, antecedent. Ad proximum antecedens fiat relatio (q. v.) Relation or reference should be made to the last antecedent. Ex antecedentibus et consequentibus fit optima interpretatio.

2 Inst. 317.

The best interpretation [of a clause in an instrument] is made from the antecedents and the consequents [of such clause]; from the parts which precede and those which follow it; that is, by taking all the parts of the instrument together. The proper mode of construing an instrument is by looking at the whole, and not merely to particular parts.

2 Bl. Com. 379. Hob. 276. Broom's Max. 249.