The alchemists were the forerunners of the scientists of today.是什么意思？

The alchemists were the forerunners of the scientists of today.

炼金术士是今日科学家的先驱.

the

art. 指已提到的人（物），指说话人与听者已知的人（物），用于独一无二的事物前，与形容词最高级和序数词连用；

例句
He did have a real knowledge of the country...
他对该国的确知之甚多。

alchemists

n. 炼金术士( alchemist的名词复数 )；

例句
The alchemists were unable to accept the inconvertible nature of elemental metals.
炼金术士无法接受金属元素的属性不能改变这一事实.

were

be的过去时复数和第二人称单数形式，有时代替 was,用于条件从句、动词 wish 之后等；

例句
Shops, houses, and vehicles were set ablaze.
店铺、房子和车辆全都陷于火海。

forerunners

n. 先驱( forerunner的名词复数 )，开路人，先兆，前兆；

例句
Some respiratory symptoms can be the forerunners of asthma.
一些呼吸道症状可能是哮喘病的先兆。

of

prep. 关于，属于…的，由…制成；aux. 助动词 [非标准用语、方言] =have [主用于虚拟语气]；

例句
He did have a real knowledge of the country...
他对该国的确知之甚多。

Scientists

n. 科学家( scientist的名词复数 )；

例句
British scientists have brought computer science to bear on this problem.
英国的科学家们已经应用计算机科学来解决这个问题。

today

adv. （在）今天，现在，现今，现代，当代；n. 今天，今日，现代，当代，现今；

例句
He told reporters today that the president's trip to Moscow is up in the air.
今天他告诉记者们总统是否前往莫斯科尚未确定。