/ priːˈkɜːsə(r); NAmE -ˈkɜːrs-/ noun
precursor (of / to sth) ( formal ) a person or thing that comes before sb/sth similar and that leads to or influences its development
SYN forerunner
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin praecursor , from praecurs- preceded, from praecurrere , from prae beforehand + currere to run.