Category:Prior

Pri"or, a. Etym: [l. prior former, previous, better, superior; Compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See former, and Cf. Prime, a., and pre-, pro-.]

Defn: 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.

Prior Pri"or, n. Etym: [oe. priour, of. priour, prior, priur, f. prieur, From l. prior former, superior. See prior, a.] (eccl.)

Defn: the superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. Conventical, 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.