Precursor
/prɪˈkɜːrsər/
nounC1
Definition
A precursor is a person, event, or thing that happens before something else and helps to prepare for it or shows that it is coming. It often means an early sign or example of something that will develop later.
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See It in Action
Something that comes before another thing and shows it will follow
- •The invention of the telegraph was a precursor to the telephone.
- •Dark clouds are often precursors to a storm.
- •Her early work was a precursor to her later success.
An early example or forerunner in a field or idea
- •The steam engine was a precursor of modern trains.
- •This artist was a precursor of the impressionist movement.
- •The old computer model was a precursor to today's laptops.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "precursor" like "before" or "early sign," but it means more than just time—it shows a connection or cause to what comes next.
- ✓Picture the first light of dawn before the sun rises fully; that light is a precursor to the day.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear a few notes of music that tell you the song is about to start.
- ✓Sounds like "pre-CUR-sor" → imagine a runner who goes first (pre-) to show the path (cursor sounds like "course" or "run").
- ✓In stories, a precursor is like a character who appears early to hint at the main event or hero.
- ✓NOT like "cause" (which directly makes something happen), a precursor is more like a sign or early example, not always the direct cause.
- ✓NOT like "result" or "effect" (which come after), a precursor always comes before.
Try Other Words
- •Forerunner: something that comes before and leads the way (Use when emphasizing being the first or early example)
- •Harbinger: a sign that something is going to happen soon (Use when focusing on prediction or warning)
- •Indicator: a sign or signal showing information (Use when focusing on information or measurement)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "pre-" meaning "before"
- •Root: "cursor" from Latin "currere" meaning "to run"
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin "precursor" meaning "runner before," someone who goes ahead
- •Historical development: Originally used for messengers or runners who went ahead to announce something
- •Modern usage: Used for anything that comes before and points to what follows, especially in science, history, and technology
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be a precursor without directly causing what comes next? How do you tell the difference?
•Think about your own life: what events or people have been precursors to important changes for you?
Fill in the blanks
1.Dark clouds are a precursor ___ a storm, showing it will come soon.
2.The telephone was a precursor ___ modern smartphones because it came earlier and led to new ideas.
3.A precursor is not the same as a cause because it may only ___ something is coming.
4.The steam engine was a precursor ___ trains that run faster and use electricity.
5.In science, a precursor often appears ___ the main reaction or event.
6.Sometimes a precursor can be a small or simple thing that ___ a big change.
7.When we say someone is a precursor in art, we mean they showed ideas ___ the main movement started.