Successor
/səkˈsɛsər/noun
A person or thing that takes the place of another.
Did you know?In Latin, successio could mean a coming-after in time or rank, so the word’s ancient core is less about victory and more about replacement, inheritance, and who gets the seat next.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sed-
“to sit, settle”
Latin
Latin
cedere
“to go, yield, or give way”
Latin
Latin
successus
“a coming after; a following, advance”
Late Latin
Latin
successor
“one who follows after, an heir or replacement”
Old French
Old French
successeur
“one who follows another in office or rank”
Middle English
English
successour
“one who comes after another”
Modern English
English
successor
“a person or thing that takes the place of another”