Webster's English Dictionary

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forerunner

fore.run.ner \'fo-r-.r*n-*r, 'fo.r-\ n 1: one going or sent before to give 
   notice of the approach of others : as  1a: a premonitory sign or symptom  
   1b: a skier who runs the course before the start of a race  2: PREDECESSOR, 
   FOREBEAR n one who goes before or announces the coming of another. 
   FORERUNNER is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage; 
   PRECURSOR applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or 
   accomplishment of another; HARBINGER and HERALD both apply, chiefly 
   figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a 
   notable event SYN syn FORERUNNER, PRECURSOR, HARBINGER, HERALD mea