predecessor

Where does the word "predecessor" come from? It comes from Latin prae decessor, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Predecessor’s story begins in Latin: prae decessor meant “one who withdraws before.” One who withdraws before, from prae- (before) and decedere (to withdraw, from de- and cedere). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as predecesseur. Carried into French for a person who held a position before another. It reached English by 1300s as predecessor. Settled as the English word for a person who held a position before another. Today, predecessor means a person who held a position or office before the current holder.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient prae decessor "one who withdraws before", one who withdraws before, from prae- (before) and decedere (to withdraw, from de- and cedere).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval predecesseur "a person who held a position before another", carried into French for a person who held a position before another.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s predecessor "a person who held a position or office before another", settled as the English word for a person who held a position before another.