PREDECESSORS
Noun
predecessors
plural of predecessor
Source: Wiktionary
PREDECESSOR
Pred`e*ces"sor, n. Etym: [L. praedecessor; prae before + decessor one
who withdraws from the province he has governed, a retiring officer
(with reference to his successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf.
F. prédécesseur. See Decease.]
Definition: One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state,
position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in
any office or position.
A prince who was as watchful as his predecessor had been over the
interests of the state. Prescott.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition