praecursor

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

praecursor: ōris, m. id.,
I one who runs before.
I A forerunner, precursor, of a servant, Plin. Pan. 76 fin.; one who precedes on the same path, Lact. 6, 7, 3.— Esp., the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, Aug. Tract. in Johan. 4, 6; 4, 8.—
II Trop.: flos praecursor indolis bonae, Nazar. Pan. Const. 3 med.—
III In milit. lang., an advanced guard, vanguard, Liv. 26, 17 fin.—
   B Transf., a scout, spy (cf.: emissarius, speculator), Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 41, § 108. >