|
prior (?), a. [L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro
| prior | (?), a. [L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.] 1. Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage. [1913 Webster]
2. First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] |
| prior | , n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.] 1. (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. [1913 Webster]
2. a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the middle ages. [RHUD] [PJC]
Conventical, |
| prior | , n. a prior conviction; -- said of an accused criminal. [informal] [PJC] |
|