%antecessor%

n. [ L., fr. antecedere, antecessum. See Antecede, Ancestor. ] 1. One who goes before; a predecessor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The successor seldom prosecuting his antecessor's devices. Sir E. Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An ancestor; a progenitor. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]