First Known Use: before 12th century
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
See prior defined for English-language learners
See prior defined for kids
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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
Other Christian Religious Terms
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
See prior defined for English-language learners
Origin of PRIOR
Latin, former, superior; akin to Latin priscus ancient, prae before — more at for
First Known Use: 1709
Related to PRIOR
- Synonyms
- arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, foremost, sovereign (also sovran), supreme
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>.
Prior
biographical name \ˈprī(-ə)r\
Definition of PRIOR
Matthew 1664–1721 Eng. poet
PRIOR[2] 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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