precursor
n
(fml 文) ~(of sth)
1 person or thing that comes before sth; forerunner 先驱; 先行者; 先兆; 前兆
small disturbances that were precursors of the revolution to come 预示革命将爆发的小规模动乱.
2 machine or invention that is later developed further (机器或发明物的)初期形式
Thefirst telephone was the precursor of modern communications networks. 最早出现的电话是现代通讯网的雏型.
That which was bitter to endure may be sweet to remember.
苦楚往日难忍受,记起也许甜心头。
A recent survey of the effects of noise revealed (surprisingly?) that dogs barking incessantly in the night rated the highest form of noise pollution on a scale ranging from 1 to 7.