precursor

Noun
Synonyms: forerunnerharbingerpredecessorherald

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a substance from which another substance is formed (especially by a metabolic reaction)
  2. a person who goes before or announces the coming of anotherSynonyms: forerunner
  3. something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someoneSynonyms: harbingerforerunnerpredecessorherald
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Precursor \Pre*cur"sor\, n. [L. praecursor, fr. praecurrere to run before; prae before + currere to run. See Course.] One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger. [1913 Webster]

Evil thoughts are the invisible, airy precursors of all the storms and tempests of the soul. --Buckminster. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Predecessor; forerunner; harbinger; messenger; omen; sign. [1913 Webster]

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