ancestor
Translation
ancestor, forebear
Examples
My ancestor came from Ireland.
My ancestor came from Ireland.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.'s)) ancestor someone's ancestor My ancestor was a famous writer.
Similar Words
Synonyms: forebear, forefather; Antonyms: descendant
Etymology
From Old French 'ancestre', from Latin 'antecessor' (ante- 'before' + cedere 'to go'), meaning 'one who goes before'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ante' as in 'anteroom' (a room before the main one). An ancestor is a person 'before' you in your family line.