pioneer

I. noun Etymology: Middle French pionier, from Old French peonier foot soldier, from peon foot soldier, from Medieval Latin pedon-, pedo — more at pawn Date: 1523 1. a member of a military unit usually of construction engineers 2. a. a person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical development b. one of the first to settle in a territory 3. a plant or animal capable of establishing itself in a bare, barren, or open area and initiating an ecological cycle II. verb Date: 1780 intransitive verb to act as a pioneer <

pioneered in the development of airplanes

> transitive verb 1. to open or prepare for others to follow; also settle 2. to originate or take part in the development of III. adjective Date: 1836 1. original, earliest 2. relating to or being a pioneer; especially of, relating to, or characteristic of early settlers or their time