Predecessors: meaning, definitions and examples
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predecessors
[ ˈprɛdɪˌsɛsərz ]
in history
A person who held a job or position before someone else, or before the present holder.
Synonyms
ancestor, antecedent, forerunner
Examples of usage
- He was appointed as the successor to his predecessor.
- The company's new CEO aims to build upon the work of her predecessors.
in family relations
A person from whom another is directly descended, such as a grandparent.
Synonyms
ancestor, forebear, forefather
Examples of usage
- My great-grandfather is my predecessor in the family tree.
- She inherited the antique clock from her predecessor.
Translations
Translations of the word "predecessors" in other languages:
🇵🇹 predecessores
🇮🇳 पूर्ववर्तियों
🇩🇪 Vorgänger
🇮🇩 pendahulu
🇺🇦 попередники
🇵🇱 poprzednicy
🇯🇵 前任者
🇫🇷 prédécesseurs
🇪🇸 predecesores
🇹🇷 öncüller
🇰🇷 전임자들
🇸🇦 الأسلاف
🇨🇿 předchůdci
🇸🇰 predchodcovia
🇨🇳 前任者
🇸🇮 predhodniki
🇮🇸 forverar
🇰🇿 бұрынғылар
🇬🇪 წინამორბედები
🇦🇿 sələflər
🇲🇽 predecesores
Word origin
The word 'predecessors' originated from the combination of the Latin prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and the word 'decessor' which comes from the Latin 'decessor' meaning 'retiring officer'. The term has been used since the 15th century to refer to someone who held a position before another. Over time, it has also come to be used in genealogy to refer to ancestors or those from whom one is descended.