precursor

The definition of a precursor is something or someone that came before.

(noun)

An example of a precursor is the dark clouds before a storm.

Precursor is defined as something that led to the creation of something similar but new.

(noun)

An example of precursor is how radio came before but helped create television.

See precursor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Origin: L praecursor < praecurrere, to run ahead: see pre- & current

See precursor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One that precedes and indicates, suggests, or announces someone or something to come: Colonial opposition to unfair taxation by the British was a precursor of the Revolution.
One that precedes another; a forerunner or predecessor: The new principal's precursor was an eminent educator.
A biochemical substance, such as an intermediate compound in a chain of enzymatic reactions, from which a more stable or definitive product is formed: a precursor of insulin.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English precursoure

Origin: , from Old French precurseur

Origin: , from Latin praecursor

Origin: , from praecursus

Origin: , past participle of praecurrere, to run before

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + currere, to run; see kers- in Indo-European roots

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