Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Predecessor

Predˊe-ces′sor

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[L.
praedecessor
;
prae
before +
decessor
one who withdraws from the province he has governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his successor), a predecessor, fr.
decedere
: cf. F.
prédécesseur
. See
Decease
.]
One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position.
A prince who was as watchful as his
predecessor
had been over the interests of the state.
Prescott.

Webster 1828 Edition

Predecessor

PREDECES'SOR

,
Noun.
[L. proe and decedo, to depart.] A person who has preceded another in the same office. The king, the president, the judge, or the magistrate, follows the steps of his predecessor, or he does not imitate the example of his predecessors. It is distinguished from ancestor, who is of the same blood; but it may perhaps be sometimes used for it.

Similar Results