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ancestora person from whom one is descended, especially if more remote than a grandparent; a forefather

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person from whom one is descended, especially if more remote than a grandparent; a forefather

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæn.ses.tər/

Example Sentences

  • My ancestor was apparently a pirate, which explains why I'm so good at finding buried treasure... in my couch cushions.
  • DNA testing revealed that we share a common ancestor from 1,000 years ago.
  • The museum displays artifacts from our ancestors who lived in this region centuries ago.

ancestor

NOUN

[/ˈæn.ses.tər/]

a person from whom one is descended, especially if more remote than a grandparent; a forefather

She traces her ancestor's name on the old family tree at grandma's house.
💡 Concept

She traces her ancestor's name on the old family tree at grandma's house.

Learn from your ancestor, the ancient master, to avoid future disaster!
🎵 Rhyme

Learn from your ancestor, the ancient master, to avoid future disaster!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈæn.ses.tər/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈæn.ses.tə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Rootances
Suffix--tor

Origin

From Latin 'antecessor' meaning 'one who goes before,' derived from 'ante' (before) and 'cedere' (to go or yield). The word entered Middle English through Old French 'ancestre.'

Breakdown

ante- (before) + ced- (go/yield) + -or (agent noun) = ancestor (one who goes before)

🎵Rhyme

masterdisasterfaster
master
disaster
faster

🔗Collocations

distant ancestor
common ancestor
trace ancestors
ancestral home
honor ancestors

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My ancestor was apparently a pirate, which explains why I'm so good at finding buried treasure... in my couch cushions.

DNA testing revealed that we share a common ancestor from 1,000 years ago.

The museum displays artifacts from our ancestors who lived in this region centuries ago.

😄 Fun example

According to family legend, my ancestor once arm-wrestled a bear and won, though I suspect he just couldn't find anyone else to impress at the tavern.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

forefatherforebearerpredecessorprogenitor

Antonyms

descendantoffspringsuccessor

Related

heritagelineagegenealogyancestryfamily tree

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