forerunner (of somebody/something) a person or thing that came before and influenced somebody/something else that is similar; a sign of what is going to happen Country music was undoubtedly one of the forerunners of rock and roll. He is recognized as the forerunner of all modern-day British Prime Ministers. An early penalty goal proved the forerunner of a disastrous performance by Scotland. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveearly, direct See full entry
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