prior Hear it!

prior definition

prior (prī′ər)

adjective

  1. preceding in time; earlier; previous; former
  2. preceding in order or importance; preferred a prior choice

Etymology: L, former, superior, compar. of OL pri, before: see prime

noun

  1. the head of a priory or other religious house
  2. in an abbey, the person in charge next below the abbot

Etymology: ME < OE & OFr, both < ML(Ec), a prior < L: see priorthe

prior Idioms

prior to

before in time
Prior definition

Prior (prī′ər)

Prior, Matthew 1664-1721; Eng. poet

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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