The definition of a progenitor is a direct ancestor, or source from which something develops.
(noun)See progenitor in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
Origin: ME progenitour < MFr progeniteur < pp. of progignere, to beget < pro-, forth + gignere, to beget: see pro- & genus
See progenitor in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Origin:
Origin: Middle English progenitour
Origin: , from Old French progeniteur
Origin: , from Latin prōgenitor
Origin: , from prōgenitus
Origin: , past participle of prōgignere, to beget
Origin: : prō-, forward; see pro-1
Origin: + gignere, gen-, to beget; see genə- in Indo-European roots
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