'Prior' definitions:

Definition of 'prior'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Earlier in time [syn: anterior, prior(a)]
noun
The head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot

Definition of '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]

Definition of 'Prior'

From: GCIDE
  • Prior \Pri"or\, n. a prior conviction; -- said of an accused criminal. [informal] [PJC]

Definition of 'Prior'

From: GCIDE
  • Prior \Pri"or\, a. [L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.]
  • 1. 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]
  • 2. First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Synonyms of 'prior'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Prior'