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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary pre·cur·sor
\\pri-ˈkər-sər, ˈprē-ˌ\\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English precursoure, from Latin praecursor, from praecurrere to run before, from prae- pre- + currere to run — more at current DATE 15th century 1.
a. one that precedes and indicates the approach of another
b. predecessor 2. a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formedSynonyms: see forerunner
• pre·cur·so·ry \\-ˈkərs-rē, -ˈkər-sə-\\ adjective precursor
1504, from L. præcursor "forerunner," from præcursus, pp. of præcurrere, from præ- "before" + currere "to run" (see current). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 precursorpre·cur·sor / pri:5kE:sE(r); NAmE -5kE:rs- / noun ~ (of / to sth) ( formal) a person or thing that comes before sb / sth similar and that leads to or influences its development 先驱；先锋；前身
SYN forerunner Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged pre·cur·sor
\ ̷ ̷ˈkərsər, -ˈkə̄sə(r, -ˈkəisə(r, ˈprēˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\ noun
( -s) Etymology: Latin praecursor, from praecursus + -or1.
a. : one that precedes and indicates the approach of another
< headaches … were the precursors of breakdown and helpless invalidism — V.S.Pritchett >
b. : one that precedes another in an office or process : predecessor , forerunner
< Greek mathematics was the precursor to modern mathematics — Harry Lass >2. : a substance from which another substance is formed especially by natural processes
< ethyl alcohol is the precursor of acetic acid in the formation of vinegar > — compare provitamin , zymogen |