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forefather

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
fore·fa·ther  (fôrfär, fr-)
n.
1. An ancestor. See Synonyms at ancestor.
2. A person who is from an earlier time and has originated or contributed to a common tradition shared by a particular group.
forefather
Noun
an ancestor
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.forefatherforefather - the founder of a family; "keep the faith of our forefathers"
father, sire
ancestor, antecedent, ascendant, ascendent, root - someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
patriarch - any of the early biblical characters regarded as fathers of the human race
2.forefather - person from an earlier time who contributed to the tradition shared by some group; "our forefathers brought forth a great nation"
predecessor - one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
forefather
noun ancestor, father, predecessor, forerunner, forebear, progenitor, procreator, primogenitor, tupuna or tipuna N.Z.
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Only by laying stone on stone with the cooperation of all, by the millions of generations from our forefather Adam to our own times, is that temple reared which is to be a worthy dwelling place of the Great God," he added, and closed his eyes.
War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context
In the reign of King John one of them was rich enough to give a manor to the Knights Hospitallers; and in Edward the Second's time your forefather Brian was summoned to Westminster to attend the great Council there.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles - A Pure Woman by Hardy, Thomas View in context
But the forefather of Jikiza sprang up behind him and pierced him through with a spear, and thus he became chief of the People of the Axe.
Nada The Lily by Haggard, Rider H. View in context
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