Webster's English Dictionary

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predecessor

pre.de.ces.sor \'pred-*-.ses-*r, 'pre-d-; .pred-*-', .pre-d-\ n [ME 
   predecessour, fr. MF predecessur, fr. LL praedecessor, fr]. L prae- pre- + 
   decessor retiring governor, fr. decessus, pp. of decedere to depart, retire 
   from office - more at DECEASE 1: one that precedes; esp : a person who has 
   previously occupied a  position or office to which another has succeeded 
   archaic  2: ANCESTOR