Definitions

1. verb

to occur or originate before something else

“The comet was seen to predate the formation of the solar system.”

2. verb

to hunt or feed on prey, especially before other animals

“The great cat was known to predate the local rodent population.”

3. noun

an earlier or earlier instance of something

“The predate of the current economic crisis was a series of failed investments.”

4. noun

an animal that hunts and feeds on prey

“The big cat is a common predator in this region.”