pioneer

pi•o•neer

[[t]ˌpaɪ əˈnɪər[/t]] n.

1) a person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others

2) one who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress

3) mil one of a group of foot soldiers detailed to make roads, dig entrenchments, etc., in advance of the main body

4) an organism that successfully establishes itself in a barren area, thus starting an ecological cycle of life

5) to act as a pioneer

6) to be the first to open or prepare (a way, settlement, etc.)

7) to take part in the beginnings of; initiate

8) to lead the way for (a group); guide

9) being the earliest or original

10) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pioneers

11) being a pioneer

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Etymology: 1515–25; < MF pionier, OF peonier foot soldier. See peon II, -eer