Proceed v. i. [imp. & p. p. Proceeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Proceeding.]
Etymology: [F. procéder. fr. L. procedere, processum, to go before, to proceed; pro forward + cedere to move. See Cede.]
1. To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey. If thou proceed in this thy insolence. Shak.
2. To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument.
3. To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun. I proceeded forth and came from God. John viii. 42. It proceeds from policy, not love. Shak.
4. To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design. He that proceeds upon other principles in his inquiry. Locke.
5 more senses
5. To be transacted; to take place; to occur. [Obs.] He will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. Shak.
6. To have application or effect; to operate. This rule only proceeds and takes place when a person can not of common law condemn another by his sentence. Ayliffe.
7. (Law)
To begin and carry on a legal process.
Syn. -- To advance; go on; continue; progress; issue; arise; emanate.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Proceed n.
See Proceeds. [Obs.] Howell.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for proceed; he lists it under rise.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.