Meaning & Definition of word "Ancestor"
Ancestor
/ˈæn.ses.tər/
noun:
- 1. A person from whom one is descended; an forebear.
- Example: My grandfather is an ancestor whom I never met, but I've heard many stories about him.
- 2. An early type of plant or animal from which others have evolved.
- Example: The ancestor of the modern horse was much smaller and lived in forests.
- 3. A forerunner or predecessor of a particular person or thing.
- Example: The ancient Greeks are considered the ancestors of Western civilization.
Etymology
●From Latin 'antecessor', meaning 'one who goes before; predecessor'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
blood ancestor:
A direct ancestor related by blood.
common ancestor:
An ancestor shared by two or more individuals.
Related Words
descendant:
A person, animal, or plant that is descended from a particular ancestor.
genealogy:
The study of family ancestries and histories.
heritage:
Property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance.
Slang Meanings of ancestor
Meaning: Ancestorial
● Example Sentence: Dude, that's some real ancestorial wisdom you're tapping into.