Temporal Relationships Vocabulary

existing or occurring in the same period of time

“The two civilizations were contemporaneous but never interacted.”

Origin: Latin contemporaneus `of the same time` (con- `together` + tempus `time`)

a thing that existed before or precedes another

“The antecedent events leading to the war were complex.”

Origin: Latin antecedere `to go before` (ante `before` + cedere `to go`)

coming after something in time; following

“Subsequent investigations revealed new evidence.”

Origin: Latin subsequi `to follow after` (sub `under, after` + sequi `to follow`)

existing, happening, or done at the same time

“He held concurrent positions at two universities.”

Origin: Latin concurrere `to run together` (con- `together` + currere `to run`)

existing or occurring at the same time

“The synchronous movements of the dancers were mesmerizing.”

Origin: Greek synkhronos `contemporary` (syn `together` + khronos `time`)

belonging to a period other than that portrayed

“The knight's wristwatch was an anachronistic error in the film.”

Origin: Greek anakhronismos `error in time` (ana `against` + khronos `time`)

of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood; ridiculously old-fashioned

“His antediluvian views on women's roles shocked everyone.”

Origin: Latin ante `before` + diluvium `flood, deluge`

existing at or from the beginning of time

“Scientists study primordial conditions of the early universe.”

Origin: Latin primordialis `first of all` (primus `first` + ordiri `to begin`)

just beginning to develop; emerging

“The nascent democracy faced many challenges.”

Origin: Latin nascens `being born` (from nasci `to be born`)

in an initial stage; beginning to happen

“They detected the incipient signs of rebellion.”

Origin: Latin incipere `to begin` (in- `into` + capere `to take`)

about to happen; impending

“With dark clouds gathering, rain seemed imminent.”

Origin: Latin imminere `to overhang, threaten` (in- `upon` + minere `to project`)

about to happen; approaching

“The impending deadline created urgency in the team.”

Origin: Latin impendere `to hang over` (in- `upon` + pendere `to hang`)