predecessor
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.pre·de·ces·sor
noun \ˈpre-də-ˌse-sər, ˈprē-; ˌpre-də-ˈ, ˌprē-\Definition of PREDECESSOR
1
: one that precedes; especially : a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded
2
archaic : ancestor
See Examples of PREDECESSOR
- Today's computers are much faster than their predecessors were.
- <the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard>
Origin of PREDECESSOR
Middle English predecessour, from Anglo-French predecessur, from Late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae- pre- + decessor retiring governor, from decedere to depart, retire from office — more at decease
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PREDECESSOR
- Synonyms
- antecedent, archetype, daddy, foregoer, forerunner, granddaddy (also grandaddy), precursor, ancestor, prototype
- Antonyms
- descendant (also descendent)
Rhymes with PREDECESSOR
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