GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   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-.]
   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
   First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc.
   Webster 1913 Suppl.
         
       

2.       
   Prior, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.]
   (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.
   1913 Webster
   a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the middle ages. [RHUD]
   PJC
   Conventical prior, or Conventual prior, a prior who is at the head of his own house. See the Note under Priory. -- Claustral prior, an official next in rank to the abbot in a monastery; prior of the cloisters.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

3.       
   Prior, n. a prior conviction; -- said of an accused criminal. [informal]
   PJC