precursor

C2+ Topic:Word Formation & Derivatives

US /prɪˈkɜrsər/ UK /prɪˈkɜːsə/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
something that comes before and signals or leads to another

The telegraph was a precursor to the modern telephone network.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · something that comes before... forerunner predecessor harbinger herald antecedent forebear prototype

Opposites

successor descendant sequel

Word family

Derived forms precursory

Related forms cursor cursory course

Simplified etymology

Precursor entered English in the late Middle English period and ultimately derives from Latin currere, “to run.” It originally referred to someone who goes before another.

Etymology

From Latin praecursor ('forerunner'), from praecurrere ('to run before'), from prae- ('before') + currere ('to run').

praecursor Latin currere Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Word Formation & Derivatives General Vocabulary

External links

# precursor

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /prɪˈkɜrsər/
**IPA (UK):** /prɪˈkɜːsə/

## Meanings
1. something that comes before and signals or leads to another

## Examples
- The telegraph was a precursor to the modern telephone network.

## Synonyms
- forerunner
- predecessor
- harbinger
- herald
- antecedent
- forebear
- prototype

## Antonyms
- successor
- descendant
- sequel

## Derived Forms
- precursory

## Related Forms
- cursor
- cursory
- course

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: praecursor
- Root: currere

## Etymology
From Latin praecursor ('forerunner'), from praecurrere ('to run before'), from prae- ('before') + currere ('to run').

## AI Etymology
Precursor comes from Latin praecursor ('forerunner'), from praecurrere ('to run before'), from prae- ('before') + currere ('to run'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As a noun, it carries the sense "something that comes before and signals or leads to another", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin praecursor and Latin currere. Derivative forms include precursory; related words include cursor, cursory, course.

## Topics
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- General Vocabulary

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