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Definition of progenitor

progenitor

/proʊˈdʒɛn.ɪ.tɚ/
pro · gen · i · tor
Plural:progenitors
•
Adjective:progenitorial
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progenitor Lexical Profile

progenitor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person or living organism from which others are descended; a direct ancestor or parent.

Example

"Geneticists determined that the wild grass found in the valley is the direct progenitor of several modern wheat varieties."

2

A person who originates an artistic, intellectual, or cultural movement, or an early model from which later forms develop.

Example

"She is widely regarded as the progenitor of modern documentary photography."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for progenitor

• Nearby Words

profuse
profusely
profusion
progenitor
progenitrix
progeny
prognosis

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'progeniteur', which derives from Latin 'progenitor' ('founder of a family, ancestor'), from the verb 'progignere' ('to beget, bring forth'), combining 'pro-' ('forth') and 'gignere' ('to beget').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Progenitor. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/progenitor
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