prōˈjenəd.ə(r), prəˈ-, -nətə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English progenitour, from Middle French progeniteur, from Latin progenitor, from progenitus (past participle of progignere to beget, from pro- before, forward, forth + gignere to beget) + -or — more at pro- , kin
1.
a. : an ancestor in the direct line : forefather
b. : a biologically ancestral form
2. : one that originates or precedes : one that serves as a guide or pattern : originator , precursor
biographical study of the progenitor of the atmospheric story — New Yorker
progenitors of socialist ideas — Times Literary Supplement
Synonyms: see ancestor