N-COUNT 先驱;先锋;前身 A precursor of something is a similar thing that happened or existed before it, often something which led to the existence or development of that thing. 先驱;先锋;前身
Real tennis, an ancient precursor of the modern game, originated in the eleventh century.
室内网球,现代网球运动的古老前身,起源于11世纪。
He said that the deal should not be seen as a precursor to a merger. [+ to]