Antedate refers to the act of assigning a date to a document, event, or transaction that is earlier than the actual date on which it occurred. This can be done for various reasons, such as to backdate a legal agreement to make it appear as though it was executed earlier than it actually was, or to predate a financial transaction for accounting or tax purposes. Antedating may be legal or acceptable under certain circumstances, but it can also be fraudulent or improper if used to deceive or manipulate. In many jurisdictions, antedating documents for fraudulent purposes is prohibited and may result in legal consequences. However, antedating may be permissible in some situations where it is done transparently and for legitimate reasons, such as correcting errors or accurately reflecting the intent of the parties involved.
Antedate (verb): 1. To precede in time; to come before or predate. 2. To assign a date earlier than the actual one; to backdate. 3. To exist or occur at an earlier time than something else. 4. To anticipate or foreshadow an event or development.
To date a document before the date on which it is drawn up.
- To occur before an event or time; to exist further back in time
- To assign a date to a document or action earlier than the actual date; to backdate
Antedate means to date a document before the date on which it is drawn up.
To antedate is not necessarily improper or illegal.
For instance, an ante-dated cheque is not invalid in law.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/antedate/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Antedate. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. April 27, 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/antedate/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Antedate. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/antedate/ (accessed: April 27, 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Antedate. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/antedate/