progenitor

  1. Noun.  A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
  2. Noun.  An individual from whom one or more people (dyansty, tribe, nation...) are descended.
  3. Noun.  (biology) An ancestral form of a species.
  4. Noun.  (figuratively) A predecessor of something, especially if also a precursor or model.
  5. Noun.  (figuratively) Someone who originates something.
  6. Noun.  A founder.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.