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forefather (n.)

"ancestor," c. 1300, from fore- + father (n.); perhaps modeled on or modified from Old Norse forfaðir. Similar formation in Dutch voorvader, German Vorvater, Danish forfædre (Old English had forð-fæder).

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Definitions of forefather from WordNet

forefather (n.)
person from an earlier time who contributed to the tradition shared by some group;
our forefathers brought forth a great nation
forefather (n.)
the founder of a family;
keep the faith of our forefathers
Synonyms: father / sire
From wordnet.princeton.edu