precursor
Use Precursor in a sentence
sər, ˈpri noun
1.
a person or thing that precedes, as in a job, a method, etc.; predecessor.
2.
a person, animal, or thing that goes before and indicates the approach of someone or something else; harbinger: The first robin is a precursor of spring.
3.
Chemistry, Biochemistry. a chemical that is transformed into another compound, as in the course of a chemical reaction, and therefore precedes that compound in the synthetic pathway: Cholesterol is a precursor of testosterone.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To precursor
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Precursor
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is mercurial. Does it mean:
| changeable, volatile, fickle or flighty; erratic |
| to instigate or foster discord or ill feeling |
Collins
World English Dictionary
precursor (prɪˈkɜːsə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a person or thing that precedes and shows or announces someone or something to come; harbinger |
| 2. | a predecessor or forerunner |
| 3. | a chemical substance that gives rise to another more important substance |
| [C16: from Latin praecursor one who runs in front, from praecurrere, from prae in front + currere to run] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
precursor
1504, from L. præcursor "forerunner," from præcursus, pp. of præcurrere, from præ- "before" + currere "to run" (see current).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
precursor pre·cur·sor (prĭ-kûr'sər, prē'kûr'sər)
n.
One that precedes and indicates something to come.
One that precedes another; a forerunner or predecessor.
A biochemical substance, such as an intermediate compound in a chain of enzymatic reactions, that gives rise to a more stable or definitive product.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
In past recessions, such hiring often was a precursor of permanent hires.
Primary and secondary education is a vital precursor to much innovation.
Mild cognitive impairment is thought to be a precursor for Alzheimer's.
There is some kind of precursor chemistry that had to take place.
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