predate

[pree-deyt] /ˈpriˈdeɪt/
verb (used with object), predated, predating.
1.
to date before the actual time; antedate:
He predated the check by three days.
2.
to precede in date:
a house that predates the Civil War.
Origin
1860-65; pre- + date1
Can be confused
antedate, predate, postdate.
British Dictionary definitions for pre-date

predate

/priːˈdeɪt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to affix a date to (a document, paper, etc) that is earlier than the actual date
2.
to assign a date to (an event, period, etc) that is earlier than the actual or previously assigned date of occurrence
3.
to be or occur at an earlier date than; precede in time
Word Origin and History for pre-date
v.

also predate, 1859, "to antedate, to assign an earlier date to," from pre- + date (n.1) "point in time." As "to exist before," from 1857. Related: Pre-dated; pre-dating.

predate

v.

"to seek prey," 1974, a back-formation from predator, etc. Related: Predated; predating. For the word meaning "antedate; pre-exist," see pre-date.