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predecessor

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The definition of a predecessor is someone who came before another person.

(noun)

An example of a predecessor is the person who had your job before you were hired.

See predecessor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

Origin: 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

See predecessor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One who precedes another in time, especially in holding an office or position.
Something that has been succeeded by another: The new building is more spacious than its predecessor.
Archaic An ancestor; a forebear.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English predecessoure

Origin: , from Old French predecesseur

Origin: , from Late Latin praedēcessor

Origin: : Latin prae-, pre-

Origin: + Latin dēcessor, a retiring magistrate (from dēcessus, past participle of dēcēdere, to depart : dē-, away; see de- + cēdere, to go; see ked- in Indo-European roots)