precursor — English Dictionary

Noun

1. That which precurses: a forerunner, predecessor, or indicator of approaching events.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:[…]. The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom.

2. One of the compounds that participates in the chemical reaction that produces another compound.

Adjective

1. Caused by the following symbol.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • of intersymbol interference

   Antonyms

   postcursor

   Related words

   ISI

Noun

1. a substance from which another substance is formed (especially by a metabolic reaction)

   Broader terms

   materialstuff

2. a person who goes before or announces the coming of another

   Synonyms

   forerunner

   Broader terms

   actordoerworker

3. something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone

   Synonyms

   harbingerforerunnerpredecessorherald

   Broader terms

   indicationindicant