/ ˈpriːdɪsesə(r); NAmE ˈpredəs-/ noun
1.
a person who did a job before sb else :
The new president reversed many of the policies of his predecessor.
2.
a thing, such as a machine, that has been followed or replaced by sth else
—compare successor
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from late Latin praedecessor , from Latin prae beforehand + decessor retiring officer (from decedere depart).