† deˈcessor Obs.
[a. L. dēcēssor one who retires, a retiring officer, in late L. (Augustine, etc.) ‘predecessor’, agent-n. from dēcēdĕre to depart, retire.]
= predecessor.
| 1647 Jer. Taylor Lib. Proph. vii. 128 The Popes may deny Christ as well as their Cheife and Decessor Peter. 1651–3 ― Serm. for year i. iv. 42 David..humbled himself for the sins of his Ancestors and Decessors. |