English Explanatory Dictionary

progenitor

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
  2. A person from whom one or more people (dynasty, tribe, nation…) are descended.
  3. An ancestral form of a species.
  4. A predecessor of something, especially if also a precursor or model.
  5. Someone who originates something.
  6. A founder.

Pronunciation

/pɹəʊˈd͡ʒɛn.ɪ.tə/ /pɹəˈd͡ʒɛn.ə.tə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-progenitor.wav /pɹoʊˈd͡ʒɛn.ɪ.tɚ/ /pɹəˈd͡ʒɛn.ə.tɚ/

Word forms

progenitor progenitors progenitour

Etymology

From Middle English progenitour, from Anglo-Norman progenitour, Middle French progeniteur (Modern French progéniteur), and their etymon Latin prōgenitor, from prōgenitus, perfect participle of prōgignere (“to beget”), itself from prō- (“forth”) + gignere (“to beget”). By surface analysis, pro- (“prior, fore-”) + genitor.

Synonyms

ancestor forefather

Related words

progenitive progeny

Derived words

chondroprogenitor legendary progenitor myoprogenitor neuroprogenitor oligoprogenitor osteoprogenitor progenitor cell progenitorial progenitorship progenitress
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