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pioneer

pi·o·neer [ p ə nr ]


noun  (plural pi·o·neers)
Definition:
 
1. inventor or innovator: a person or group that is the first to do something or that leads in developing something new

2. first person to explore territory: a person who is one of the first from another country or region to explore or settle a new area

3. soldier who builds things: a foot soldier whose duties include going ahead of the main company to construct things to pave the way for them

4. first species to grow somewhere: the first species of plant or animal life to begin living in a previously unoccupied site, e.g. a moss beginning to grow on otherwise bare rock



verb  (past and past participle pi·o·neered, present participle pi·o·neer·ing, 3rd person present singular pi·o·neers)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb invent new thing: to experiment with or develop something new

2. transitive and intransitive verb go into unexplored territory: to go into previously uncharted or unclaimed territory with the purpose of exploring it and possibly settling it

3. intransitive verb act as pioneer: to act as a pioneer in a particular field

[Early 16th century. < French pionnier< medieval Latin pedon- "foot soldier" < Latin ped- "foot"]
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