noun

1. a person who precedes or preceded another, as in office
2. a thing replaced by another thing, as in use
3. an ancestor; forefather

Etymology: ME predecessour < MFr predecesseur < LL praedecessor < L prae-, before (see pre-) + decessor, retiring officer < decessus, pp. of decedere, to go away, depart < de-, from + cedere, to go: see cede