Definition: precursor

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

precursor
     n 1: a person who goes before or announces the coming of another
          [syn: forerunner]
     2: an indication of the approach of something or someone [syn:
        harbinger, forerunner, herald]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

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.

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

   Syn: Predecessor; forerunner; harbinger; messenger; omen;
        sign.