progenitor
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.pro·gen·i·tor
noun \prō-ˈje-nə-tər, prə-\Definition of PROGENITOR
1
a : an ancestor in the direct line : forefather b : a biologically ancestral form
2
: precursor, originator <progenitors of socialist ideas — Times Literary Supplement> <progenitor cells>
See Examples of PROGENITOR
- the progenitors of modern art
- wild cats that were the progenitors of the house cat
Origin of PROGENITOR
Middle English, from Anglo-French progenitour, from Latin progenitor, from progignere to beget, from pro- forth + gignere to beget — more at kin
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PROGENITOR
- Synonyms
- father, forebear (also forbear), forebearer, forefather, grandfather, primogenitor, ancestor
- Antonyms
- descendant (also descendent)
Other Biology Terms
pro·gen·i·tor
noun \prō-ˈjen-ət-ər, prə-\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of PROGENITOR
1
: an ancestor of an individual in a direct line of descent along which some or all of the ancestral genes could theoretically have passed
2
: a biologically ancestral form
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