forerunner

Forerunner refers to something or someone that goes before to announce, lead the way, or pave the path for what follows. In general usage, a forerunner is a predecessor or harbinger—an early form, version, or example that signals or informs later developments. The term can apply to people, ideas, innovations, or movements that anticipate subsequent change.

Etymology: The word combines fore- meaning before with run, literally describing something that runs before others. It appears in Middle English and has since entered common usage in both literal and metaphorical senses.

In religion, the term is applied to John the Baptist in Eastern Christian traditions, who is described as the Forerunner of Christ, preparing the way for the gospel.

In science and technology, forerunners are early technologies, experiments, or precursors that inform later, more fully developed systems. They may be described as prototypes, precursors, or harbingers of subsequent breakthroughs.

In popular culture, forerunner is used as a proper name in various works. Notably, in the Halo video game series, the Forerunner are an ancient, highly advanced civilization whose artifacts and technologies influence the game's lore and conflicts.