prior Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot
  2. adjective satellite earlier in time
    anterior.

WordNet

Pri"or adjective
Etymology
L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.
Definitions
  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.
Pri"or noun
Etymology
OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.
Definitions
  1. (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.

Webster 1913