# ancestor

## ancestor

**This is an abbreviation for supertype ancestor.**

## supertype ancestor

A concept that is a supertype of a specified concept.

#### Notes

* A *supertype ancestor* Includes the supertype parents and the supertype parents of each supertype parent, until the root concept is reached.
* The term *supertype* is synonymous with supertype ancestor. However, it is sometime helpful to use the term *supertype ancestor* to emphasize inclusion of all *supertypes* not just supertype parents.

#### Example

* The figure below shows an example hierarchy in which concept *S* has seven *supertype ancestors* A, B, D, E, I, J and K.

<figure><img src="https://1017548453-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FP21QucCX9Y41nBQt50ad%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-79ace1ea164ba42337b24bc0494a743c5a737f72%2F82880183.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Figure 1: Hierarchy Illustration - Subtype ancestors</p></figcaption></figure>

## Alternatives

* **Ancestor**

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