A person who precedes another in time or order. A person who precedes another as holder of a position, office, title, etc.

An ancestor, a forebear; (more generally) a member of a preceding generation.

A predecessor in the possession of property; a person from or through whom property is inherited.

A precursor or antecedent; a thing which has been followed or replaced by another.

A teacher of law at a school or university. Now historical (especially Ancient History).