One entry found for predecessor.

Main Entry: pre·de·ces·sor
Pronunciation: pred--ses-r, prd-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English predecessour "predecessor," from early French predecesseur (same meaning), from Latin praedecessor "one that goes before," from prae- "before, pre-," and decessor "retiring governor," from decedere "to depart," from de- "from" and cedere "to go, go away" --related to ANCESTOR, CONCEDE
: one that precedes; especially : a person who has held a position or office before another