Dictionary

avant-coureur

/a.vɑ̃.ku.ʁœʁ/

noun, masculine/a.vɑ̃.ku.ʁœʁ/plural: avant-coureurs

messenger, scout (person who runs ahead of the army to deliver news); harbinger, precursor, forerunner (thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of something)

Synonyms: éclaireur

From courir (“to run”) + avant (“in front, before”). Compare English forerunner, precursor.

adjective/a.vɑ̃.ku.ʁœʁ/

predictive; that predicts; foreshadowing

“signe avant-coureur” — portent, canary in a coal mine

Synonyms: prémonitoire, annonciateur

From courir (“to run”) + avant (“in front, before”). Compare English forerunner, precursor.