ancestor

an-ces-tor · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person from whom one is descended, especially one more remote than a grandparent.

  2. 2.

    An early type of animal or plant from which others have evolved.

  3. 3.

    Something that serves as a forerunner or prototype.

Forms

plural: ancestors

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    common ancestor — A shared progenitor from which different groups descend.
  • •
    ancestor worship — Religious practices honoring deceased family members.

Related words

Antonyms: descendant, offspring, progeny
See also: ancestors, descendant, heritage, lineage
Synonyms: antecedent, forebear, forefather, progenitor

Etymology

From Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor ("predecessor"), from ante- ("before") + cedere ("to go"). The spelling was altered in the 14th century to reflect the Latin origin.