archetype

1 something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed the abacus is sometimes cited as the archetype of the modern digital calculator Synonyms antecedent, ancestor, daddy, foregoer, forerunner, granddaddy (also grandaddy), precursor, predecessor, prototypeRelated Words model, original; originator, sire; father, motherNear Antonyms by-product, derivative, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off; daughter, sonAntonyms descendant (also descendent)

2 something from which copies are made Beowulf is considered by some scholars to be the archetype for medieval British heroic tales Synonyms original, prototypeRelated Words source; example, mold, paradigm, pattern; beau ideal, classic, exemplar, ideal, model, nonpareil, paragon; blueprint, draftNear Antonyms copy, imitation, replica, reproduction; counterfeit, fake, forgery, sham