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precursor Meaning & Definition

/pɹɪˈkɜː.sə/

What Does Precursor Mean?

Precursor is used as a noun meaning That which precurses: a forerunner, predecessor, or indicator of approaching events. It can also mean One of the compounds that participates in the chemical reaction that produces another compound. As an adjective, it means Caused by the following symbol. As an adjective, it means (of intersymbol interference) Caused by the following symbol.

Precursor at a Glance

Part of speechnoun, adjective
Pronunciation/pɹɪˈkɜː.sə/
Syllables3
Synonymsharbinger, forerunner and herald
Antonymspostcursor
Pluralprecursors

Precursor Definition (Noun)

  1. That which precurses: a forerunner, predecessor, or indicator of approaching events.
  2. One of the compounds that participates in the chemical reaction that produces another compound.

Precursor as an Adjective

  1. Caused by the following symbol.

Adjective

  1. (of intersymbol interference) Caused by the following symbol.

Synonyms of Precursor

harbingerforerunnerherald
Precursor synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Precursor

postcursor

Word Forms & Grammar

precursor (plural precursors)

precursor (not comparable)

Words That Rhyme With Precursor

nurserbursarcurserversorcursorworserreverserversertersercoerce hercurse herdisperse herimmerse hermercernurse herper sirpurse herpurserrehearse herreimburse herreverse hersir sirvers surverse herwere sirworse her

Origin of Precursor

Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English precursour, from Middle French precurseur or its etymon Latin praecursor (“forerunner”).[1] By surface analysis, precurse +‎ -or.

Origin 2: From pre- + cursor.

Pronouncing Precursor

Precursor is pronounced /pɹɪˈkɜː.sə/ and has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (kɜː).

Quick Answers About Precursor

Is precursor a noun or an adjective?

Precursor is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective.

What is another word for precursor?

You can replace precursor with words such as harbinger, forerunner and herald. See the full list of precursor synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of precursor?

The opposite of precursor is postcursor.

What is the plural of precursor?

The plural of precursor is precursors.

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