21 August 2013

progenitor

[proh-jen-i-ter]

noun

1. a biologically related ancestor: a progenitor of the species.
2. a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model; predecessor; precursor: the progenitor of modern painting.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin prōgenitor the founder of a family. See pro-1 , genitor

Related forms
pro·gen·i·to·ri·al [proh-jen-i-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-] Show IPA , adjective
pro·gen·i·tor·ship, noun

Today’s aphorism

The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.

– Leon Trotsky

On this day

21 August 1940 – death of Leon Trotsky, Russian revolutionary. Murdered by ice-pick wielding Rámon Mercader.

21 August 1970 – birth of Fred Durst, American rock vocalist with Limp Bizkit.

21 August – International Day of Lucid Dreaming. For further information check out this podcast on ABC radio