Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
preconceived
preconception
preconcert
precondition
preconize
preconscious
precontract
precritical
precursor
precursory
predacious
predate
predation
predator
predatory
predatory pricing
predecease
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "precursor" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

precursor

pre·cur·sor [ prə kúrssər, pr kùrssər ] (plural pre·cur·sors)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. somebody or something that comes earlier: somebody or something that comes before, and is often considered to lead to the development of, another person or thing

2. previous holder of job: somebody who held a position or job before somebody else

3. chemistry chemical compound preceding another: a chemical compound that leads to another, usually more stable, product in a series of connected reactions

[Early 16th century. < Latin praecursor< praecurs-, stem of praecurrere "run before" < currere "run"]
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft