prior1
adj.
existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
n.
N. Amer. informal a previous criminal conviction.
Phrase
Etymology
C18: from L., lit. ‘former, elder’, rel. to prae ‘before’.
prior2
n.
(fem. prioress)
- (in an abbey) the person next in rank below an abbot (or abbess).
- the head of a house of friars (or nuns).
Derivative
Etymology
OE, from a med. L. noun use of L. prior (see prior1).