Webster's English Dictionary

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pioneer

1. pi.o.neer \.pi--*-'ni(*)r\ n [MF pionier, fr. OF peonier foot soldier, 
   fr. peon foot soldi]er, fr. ML pedon-, pedo - more at PAWN 1: a member of a 
   military unit usu. of construction engineers  2a: a person or group that 
   originates or helps open up a new line of though t or activity or a new 
   method or technical development 2b: one of the first to settle in a 
   territory  3: a plant or animal capable of establishing itself in a bare or 
   barren are a and initiating an ecological cycle
2. pioneer aj 1: EARLIEST, ORIGINAL  2: relating to or being a pioneer; esp 
   : of, relating to, or chara cteristic of early settlers or their time
3. pioneer vi : to act as a pioneer  1: to open or prepare for others to 
   follow; esp : SETTLE  2: to originate or take part in the development of 
   something new