n. 1. A direct ancestor. See Synonyms at ancestor. 2. An originator of a line of descent; a precursor. 3. An originator; a founder: progenitors of the new music. [Middle English progenitour, from Old French progeniteur, from Latin prōgenitor, from prōgenitus, past participle of prōgignere, to beget : prō-, forward; see PRO-1 + gignere, gen-, to beget; see genə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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