Predecessor
Pronunciation : Pred`e*ces"sor
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. praedecessor; prae before + decessor one who withdraws from the province he has governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf. F. pr?d?cesseur. See Decease.]
Definition : Defn: One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position. A prince who was as watchful as his predecessor had been over the interests of the state. Prescott.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913