[pre.de.ces.sor] n [ME predecessour, fr. MF predecesseur, fr. LL praedecessor, fr. L prae- pre- + decessor retiring governor, fr. decedere to depart, retire from office--more at decease] (14c) 1: one that precedes; esp: a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded
2. archaic: ancestor