Hypertext Webster Gateway: "predecessor"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Predecessor \Pred`e*ces"sor\ (?; 277), n. [L. praedecessor; prae
before + decessor one who withdraws from the province he has
governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his
successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf. F.
pr['e]d['e]cesseur. See {Decease}.]
One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state,
position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes
after, in any office or position.
A prince who was as watchful as his predecessor had
been over the interests of the state. --Prescott.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
predecessor
n : one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or
office)
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