Dictionary

1prior

noun pri·or \ˈprī(-ə)r\

: a monk who is the head of a religious house or order

: a priest whose rank is just below that of an abbot

: a previous time of being arrested for or found guilty of a crime

Full Definition of PRIOR

1
:  the superior ranking next to the abbot of a monastery
2
:  the superior of a house or group of houses of any of various religious communities
pri·or·ate \ˈprī-ə-rət\ noun
pri·or·ship \ˈprī(-ə)r-ˌship\ noun
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Origin of PRIOR

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; both from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, administrator, from Latin, former, superior
First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

2prior

adjective

: existing earlier in time

: more important than something else because it came first

Full Definition of PRIOR

1
:  earlier in time or order
2
:  taking precedence (as in importance)
pri·or·ly adverb

Origin of PRIOR

Latin, former, superior; akin to Latin priscus ancient, prae before — more at for
First Known Use: 1709

Synonym Discussion of PRIOR

preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place <the preceding sentence>. antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation <conditions antecedent to the revolution>. foregoing applies chiefly to statements <the foregoing remarks>. previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance <a child from a previous marriage> <a prior obligation>. former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter <the former name of the company>. anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order <the anterior lobe of the brain>.

Rhymes with PRIOR

Prior

biographical name \ˈprī(-ə)r\

Definition of PRIOR

Matthew 1664–1721 Eng. poet
PRIOR Defined for Kids

1prior

noun pri·or \ˈprī-ər\

Definition of PRIOR for Kids

:  a monk who is head of a religious house

2prior

adjective

Definition of PRIOR for Kids

1
:  being or happening before something else <a prior date> <prior experience>
2
:  being more important than something else <a prior claim>
prior to
:  2before 2 <The project must be finished prior to July.>

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5 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: priorablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: prionusAll Words Near: prior
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