Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-DE-CES'SOR, n. [Fr. prédécesseur; L. præ and decedo, to depart.]

A person who has preceded another in the same office. The king, the president, the judge, or the magistrate, follows the steps of his predecessor, or he does not imitate the example of his predecessors. It is distinguished from ancestor, who, is of the same blood; but it may perhaps be sometimes used for it. – Hooker. Addison.