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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] |
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