progenitor

Meaning

1. A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
2. A person from whom one or more people (dynasty, tribe, nation…) are descended.
3. An ancestral form of a species.
4. (figuratively) A predecessor of something, especially if also a precursor or model.
5. (figuratively) Someone who originates something.
6. A founder.

Synonyms

ancestor

forefather

father

👨‍👦

parent

primogenitor

begetter

forebear

root

old-timer

forbear

source

founder

forerunner

originator

hub

mainspring

mother

👩‍🍼

occasion

origin

original

precursor

predecessor

predecessors

producer

reason

script

senior

spring

stepchild

stepson

stirps

superior

original copy

older graduate

parents

he who begets

stock of a family

reserved copy

progenitor star

principal edition

eldmother

eldfather

ancestress

ascendant

beginning

cause

chief

commencement

elder

emperor

Translations

πρόγονος

Vorfahre

ata

progenitore

progenitor

cet

voorouder

progenitor

Stammvater

voorvader

prédécesseur

Ahn

stamvader

ancêtre

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɹəʊˈd͡ʒɛn.ɪ.tə/

Etymology

From Middle English progenitour, from Anglo-Norman progenitour, Middle French progeniteur (Modern French progéniteur), and their etymon Latin prōgenitor, from prōgenitus, perfect participle of prōgignere (“to beget”), itself from prō- (“forth”) + gignere (“to beget”). By surface analysis, pro- (“prior, fore-”) + genitor.