predecessor
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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

Examples of PREDECESSOR

  1. Today's computers are much faster than their predecessors were.
  2. <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

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