any member of a class of words that typically can be combined with determiners to serve as the subject of a verb, can be interpreted as singular or plural, can be replaced with a pronoun, and refer to an entity, quality, state, action, or concept… See the full definition| www.merriam-webster.com
one that precedes and indicates the approach of another; predecessor; a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed… See the full definition| www.merriam-webster.com
Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who produced works of unparalleled influence.| Encyclopedia Britannica