progenitor
[ proh-jen-i-ter ]
/ proʊˈdʒɛn ɪ tər /
noun
a biologically related ancestor: a progenitor of the species.
a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model; predecessor; precursor: the progenitor of modern painting.
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Origin of progenitor
OTHER WORDS FROM progenitor
pro·gen·i·to·ri·al [proh-jen-i-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /proʊˌdʒɛn ɪˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/, adjectivepro·gen·i·tor·ship, nounWords nearby progenitor
prog., progametangium, progamete, progastrin, progenitive, progenitor, progenitor cell, progeny, progeria, progeroid, progestational
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for progenitor
British Dictionary definitions for progenitor
progenitor
/ (prəʊˈdʒɛnɪtə) /
noun
a direct ancestor
an originator or founder of a future development; precursor
Word Origin for progenitor
C14: from Latin: ancestor, from pro- 1 + genitor parent, from gignere to beget
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for progenitor
progenitor
[ prō-jĕn′ĭ-tər ]
n.
A direct ancestor.
An originator of a line of descent.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.