Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun precursor

3 senses of precursor

Sense 1
precursor -- (a substance from which another substance is formed (especially by a metabolic reaction))
       => material, stuff -- (the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object; "coal is a hard black material"; "wheat is the stuff they use to make bread")

Sense 2
precursor, forerunner -- (a person who goes before or announces the coming of another)
       => person, individual, someone, somebody, mortal, soul -- (a human being; "there was too much for one person to do")

Sense 3
harbinger, forerunner, predecessor, herald, precursor -- (something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone)
       => indication, indicant -- (something that serves to indicate or suggest; "an indication of foul play"; "indications of strain"; "symptoms are the prime indicants of disease")