predecessor
[pred-uh-ses-er, pred-uh-ses-er or, esp. British, pree-duh-ses-er]
- a person who precedes another in an office, position, etc.
- something succeeded or replaced by something else: The new monument in the park is more beautiful than its predecessor.
- Archaic. an ancestor; forefather.
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Origin of predecessor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for predecessor
Contemporary Examples
Under the current president and his predecessor, Jett notes, the ambassadorship of Belize has gone to college roommates.
Austin Mahone, the teenage pop star with a more wholesome image than his predecessor Justin Bieber wants to tell you his story.
The 247 was the first airplane really to define the form of a modern airliner, flying faster and higher than any predecessor.
Scott says he last spoke to his predecessor a few days ago, although he never explicitly gave his blessing.
Now Obama needs his predecessor to help prevent a solid Republican Congress from hassling him all the way to January 20, 2017.
Historical Examples
Following the example of his predecessor, in 1868, Mr. Gladstone resigned.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
He was as little and fair-complexioned as his predecessor was big and dark.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
It was a very kind thing in your predecessor, John, to write to me, was it not?'
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
The central portion of this cable much resembles that of its predecessor in 1866.
The day was worse than its predecessor, inexpressibly gloomy and disheartening.
The DownfallEmile Zola
predecessor
- a person who precedes another, as in an office
- something that precedes something else
- an ancestor; forefather
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Word Origin
C14: via Old French from Late Latin praedēcessor, from prae before + dēcēdere to go away, from dē away + cēdere to go
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for predecessor
n.
late 14c., "one who has held an office or position before the present holder," from Old French predecesseor "forebear" and directly from Late Latin praedecessorem (nominative praedecessor), from Latin prae "before" (see pre-) + decessor "retiring official," from decess-, past participle stem of decedere "go away," also "die" (see decease (n.)). Meaning "ancestor, forefather" is recorded from c.1400.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper