ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English forfader, forefader, from for-, fore- fore- + fader father — more at father
1. : one that precedes another in a line of descent in any degree of consanguinity but usually in a remote degree : ancestor
2. : a person of an earlier period and common heritage without necessarily a traceable genealogic relationship : forebear — usually used in plural
Synonyms: see ancestor