'Conventical prior' definitions:
Definition of 'Conventical prior'
From: GCIDE
- Prior \Pri"or\, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.]
- 1. (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. [1913 Webster]
- 2. 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]