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Added 9 October 2026

forerunner

/ˈfɔɹˌɹʌnɚ/ noun

In Latin: antecursor Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about forerunner at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A runner at the front or ahead.
By extension, a non-competitor who leads out the competitors on to the circuit, or who runs/rides the course prior to competitor trials, usually testing or checking the way.
A precursor or harbinger, a warning ahead.

Origin

From Middle English forrenner, foreriner. Calque of Latin praecursor (“one who runs before, a forerunner”). Equivalent to fore- + runner and/or forerun + -er.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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