progenitor

Everyday

1. (formal) A person or animal from whom others are descended, an ancestor: «the progenitor of the family». tree →
2. (formal) A person or thing that starts a movement, idea or style; a founder or first model: «the progenitor of rock music». tree →
3. (science) A cell or living thing that later things develop from. tree →

In the lessons

In history and family-tree work it names the first ancestor; in science (evolution, cells) it names the starting form. In stories it gives a grand, old-fashioned feel. Phrases: «the progenitor of», «a common progenitor».

Examples

• He was the progenitor of a long line of farmers. tree →
• The wolf is the progenitor of all pet dogs. tree →
• Some call that band the progenitor of punk music. tree →
• Scientists study progenitor cells that grow into blood cells. tree →
• Adam is called the progenitor of humankind in the Bible. tree →
• The Wright brothers' plane was the progenitor of every modern aircraft. tree →

Note

Countable: progenitor, progenitors. Formal; simpler: «ancestor», «forefather», «founder». The «progeny» are the children or descendants, the opposite end of the family tree.

In Jewish tradition

In history and family-tree work it names the first ancestor; in science (evolution, cells) it names the starting form. In stories it gives a grand, old-fashioned feel. Phrases: «the progenitor of», «a common progenitor».

Examples

• Many offspring or derivations came from the latter three, as their progenitors, as it is explained afterwards in the chapter. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Countable: progenitor, progenitors. Formal; simpler: «ancestor», «forefather», «founder». The «progeny» are the children or descendants, the opposite end of the family tree.