primogenitor

[ prahy-muh-jen-i-ter ]

noun

1. a first parent or earliest ancestor:

   Adam and Eve are the primogenitors of the human race.

2. a forefather or ancestor.

primogenitor

/ ˌpraɪməʊˈdʒɛnɪtə /

noun

1. a forefather; ancestor
2. an earliest parent or ancestor, as of a race

Word History and Origins

Origin of primogenitor¹

1645–55; < Late Latin prīmōgenitor ancestor, equivalent to Latin prīmō at first + genitor genitor

Word History and Origins

Origin of primogenitor¹

C17: alteration of progenitor after primogeniture

Example Sentences

Hinton had been working on neural networks since his undergraduate days at Cambridge in the late 1960s, and he is seen as the intellectual primogenitor of the contemporary field.

From New York Times

Another mandatory insider activity is attending, at least once, a production of participatory, experimental theater — especially at the primogenitor of it all, the Living Theater.

From New York Times

"A direct communication of the Divine Will was made to the primogenitors 88 of our race," and to this source alone we are indebted for all correct ideas of right and wrong.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ancestor
• antecedent
• descent
• extraction
• forebear
• genealogy
• heritage
• lineage
• origin
• parentage