Pred`e*ces"sor (?; 277), n. [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.] 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.