precursor

[ pri-kur-ser, pree-kur- ]

noun

1. a person or thing that precedes, as in a job, a method, etc.; predecessor.

   Synonyms: forerunner

2. a person, animal, or thing that goes before and indicates the approach of someone or something else; harbinger:

   The first robin is a precursor of spring.

   Synonyms: herald

3. Chemistry, Biochemistry. a chemical that is transformed into another compound, as in the course of a chemical reaction, and therefore precedes that compound in the synthetic pathway:

   Cholesterol is a precursor of testosterone.

4. Biology. a cell or tissue that gives rise to a variant, specialized, or more mature form.

precursor

/ prɪˈkɜːsə /

noun

1. a person or thing that precedes and shows or announces someone or something to come; harbinger
2. a predecessor or forerunner
3. a chemical substance that gives rise to another more important substance

Word History and Origins

Origin of precursor¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin praecursor forerunner. See pre-, cursor

Word History and Origins

Origin of precursor¹

C16: from Latin praecursor one who runs in front, from praecurrere, from prae in front + currere to run

Example Sentences

A task force in California has already seized 4.4 pounds of pink powder containing ketamine and despropionyl fentanyl, a fentanyl precursor, a recent study reported.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re not just going after mid-level sellers on dark web and going after cartels seizing large amounts of pills, we’re also going after these precursor companies.”

From Los Angeles Times

An image sent to an undercover federal agent by a Hubei Aoks executive appears to show fentanyl precursor.

From Los Angeles Times

Between 2016 to 2023, the company sold 11 kilos of fentanyl precursor and two kilos of xylazine — an animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl — to an American buyer and falsely labeled the drugs as furniture, makeup, vases and apparel, according to the indictment.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors said that the Sinaloa and New Generation Jalisco cartels are major buyers of precursor chemicals and that they then turn the substances into fentanyl pills and powder.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forerunner
• harbinger