prior Definition
prior (prī′ər)
adjective
- preceding in time; earlier; previous; former
- preceding in order or importance; preferred a prior choice
Etymology: L, former, superior, compar. of OL pri, before: see prime
noun
- the head of a priory or other religious house
- 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
prior Synonyms
prior Usage Examples
Converse of object
give: The fixed effects, and are given vague normal priors, as are the unknown cut points, and.
Adjective modifier
vague: The fixed effects, and are given vague normal priors, as are the unknown cut points, and.
Modifies a noun
- consent: Not to use the boat for business purposes without the prior consent of the Company.
- permission: Don't erect scaffolding without the prior permission of the Roads Authority.
- approval: NAO staff who provide official entertainment outside BPR without prior approval will not normally have their claims met from public funds.
- arrangement: Pets allowed by prior arrangement at a small extra charge.
- notice: We may change these terms without prior notice to you.
- notification: The information contained on the Web site may be changed at any time without prior notification or obligation.
Modifying Another Word
- immediately: Bone sampling must be carried out immediately prior to closing the bone container.
- much: We assumed too much prior experience among participants and placed too much emphasis on informality.
- also: This meeting was also prior to the bombing of the Cubana airliner on October 6, 1976.
Infinitive complement
discharge: This revealed that only 50 % of patients knew the name of their care coordinator and had met them prior to discharge.
Preposition: of
monastery: He is said to have been prior of the huge monastery at Irish Bangor.
Browse dictionary entries near prior
- ‹ prion
- ‹ printout
- ‹ printmaker
- ‹ printless
- ‹ printing press
- ‹ printing
- ‹ printery
- ‹ printer's devil
- ‹ printer
- ‹ printed circuit board

