precursor
gb/pɹikˈɚsɚ/ us/pɹikˈɚsɚ/
C1
English
~ 10000
előfutár, prekurzor
NOUN
C1
1
előfutár
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is a precursor to [something]
Many see the small protests as a precursor to a larger social movement.
Sokan úgy látják, hogy a kisebb tiltakozások egy nagyobb társadalmi mozgalom előfutárai.
The telephone was a crucial precursor to modern mobile communication.
A telefon a modern mobilkommunikáció egyik döntő előfutára volt.
Early jazz was a major precursor of rock and roll.
Some analysts fear that the market crash could be a precursor to a global recession.
The writer’s first short stories were clear precursors of his later, more complex novels.
Learner examples
The cold wind was a precursor to the big storm.
A hideg szél a nagy vihar előjele volt.
These simple machines were precursors to today’s computers.
Ezek az egyszerű gépek a mai számítógépek előfutárai voltak.
Her early drawings were precursors to her famous paintings.
The new law may be a precursor to bigger changes in the system.
Steam engines were important precursors of modern trains.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "precursor" with "ancestor". "Ancestor" is usually used for family members from earlier generations, while "precursor" is used for people, things, or events that come before something and help cause or shape it. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: in modern usage, "a precursor to" is more common than "a precursor of" when talking about what comes after.
Meaning
forerunner that leads to something
Collocations
a precursor to
|a precursor of
|important precursor
|direct precursor
|historical precursor
|precursor to war
Synonyms
forerunner (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech than "precursor".)
|
predecessor (Focuses more on a person or thing that held a role earlier, less on causing or signaling what comes after.)
Antonyms
successor (Refers to the person or thing that comes after, often taking over a role or position.)
|
outcome (Names the final result rather than what came before and led to it.)
Themes
general
|history
|science
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person, thing, or event that comes before something else and makes it possible or shows that it will happen soon.
A person, thing, or event that comes before another and helps to cause it, shape it, or serve as a sign that it is going to happen.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
prekurzor
C1
Usage pattern:
[a precursor] is converted into [another substance]
Cholesterol is a precursor of several important hormones in the human body.
A koleszterin több fontos hormon prekurzora az emberi szervezetben.
In this reaction, the precursor molecule is first activated by an enzyme.
Ebben a reakcióban a prekurzor molekulát először egy enzim aktiválja.
The team is searching for a cheaper chemical precursor for the new drug.
These precursor cells later develop into mature blood cells.
Vitamin D acts as a precursor that is converted into its active form in the kidneys.
Learner examples
This chemical is a precursor for many kinds of plastic.
Ez a vegyi anyag sokféle műanyag prekurzora.
The body uses this fat as a precursor to make hormones.
A szervezet ezt a zsírt hormonok előállításához prekurzorként használja.
A precursor cell can change into a special type of cell.
The company buys a cheap precursor and turns it into medicine.
Scientists studied the precursor protein in the lab.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this technical sense with the general "forerunner" sense and use it in non-scientific contexts like "a precursor chemical to the war". In chemistry and biology, "precursor" usually refers specifically to a substance or cell that is physically transformed into another, not just something that happens earlier in time.
Meaning
starting substance that forms another
Collocations
precursor cell
|precursor molecule
|precursor protein
|chemical precursor
|metabolic precursor
|hormone precursor
Synonyms
precursor compound (More explicitly chemical; stresses that the precursor is a compound used to produce another compound.)
|
progenitor cell (Used mainly in biology and medicine for a cell that develops into a more specialized cell type.)
Antonyms
end product (Refers to the final substance formed, the opposite position in the process from the precursor.)
|
metabolite (In some contexts, a metabolite is a result of metabolism, contrasting with a precursor that is used to build something else.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|technology
Definition
A chemical or cell that is changed into another, more complete substance or cell during a chemical or biological process.
A chemical substance, cell, or biological form that is transformed into another specific substance or form in a reaction or developmental process.
Grammar
Dictionary form
precursor
IPA
GB/pɹikˈɚsɚ/
US/pɹikˈɚsɚ/
Syllables & stress
pre - curs - or (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (curs)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: precursor
- Plural: precursors
Word family
Forms
precursors
noun
Core family
precede
verb B2
predecessor
noun B2
Related words
forerunner
noun
Negative and opposite forms
successor
noun B2
Advanced or less common
precursory
adjective
Expressions
a precursor to
1/ə pɹikˈɚsɚ tə/
fixed phrase
something that comes before and leads to
Used to say that one thing comes before another thing and helps make it happen or shows that it will happen.
Examples
- Some experts worry that these small conflicts are a precursor to a larger regional war.
- Her first book was a clear precursor to her later, more famous novels.
chemical precursor
1/kˈɛmɪkəl pɹikˈɚsɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
starting chemical used to make another
A chemical that is used as the starting material to make another chemical in a reaction or process.
Examples
- The factory imports a chemical precursor and then processes it into fertilizer.
- Strict rules control the sale of chemical precursors that can be used to make illegal drugs.
precursor cell
1/pɹikˈɚsɚ sˈɛl/
fixed phrase
technical
immature cell that develops further
A young or early cell in the body that later changes into a more special type of cell, such as a nerve cell or blood cell.
Examples
- The therapy aims to replace damaged neurons with healthy precursor cells.
- Scientists grew precursor cells in the lab that later turned into heart muscle cells.