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ancestor

ancestor definition

an·ces·tor (an′ses′tər; also, -səs-, -sis-)

noun

any person from whom one is descended, esp. one earlier in a family line than a grandparent; forefather; forebear
an early type of animal from which later kinds have evolved
anything regarded as a precursor or forerunner of a later thing
Law the deceased person from whom an estate has been inherited

Etymology: ME & OFr ancestre < L antecessor, one who goes before < pp. of antecedere < ante-, before + cedere, to go

transitive verb

to be an ancestor of

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.