Prior
['praɪə] or ['praɪɚ]
Definition
(noun.) the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot.
Editor: Melinda--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) 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.
(a.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.
Checker: Peggy
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Former, preceding, previous, anterior, antecedent, precedent, foregoing, precursory.
Inputed by Donald
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Preceding, previous, former, antecedent, precedent, earlier, anterior,foregoing,[See POSTERIOR]
Checked by Delores
Definition
adj. former: previous: coming before in time.—n. the head of a priory: (in Italy) formerly a chief magistrate:—fem. Prī′oress.—ns. Prī′orāte Prī′orship the government or office of a prior: the time during which a prior is in office; Prior′ity state of being prior or first in time place or rank: preference; Prī′ory a convent of either sex under a prior or prioress and next in rank below an abbey.
Checker: Otis
Examples
- The prior chapters fall logically into three parts. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- An six hundred crowns, said Isaac, the good Prior might well pay to your honoured valours, and never sit less soft in his stall. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The advance that was brought about by Edison's carbon transmitter will be more apparent if we glance first at the state of the art of telephony prior to his invention. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The discussions of this chapter and the prior one should, however, give an added meaning to those results. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- I will take care of that, reverend Prior, said the Hermit of Copmanhurst; for I will wear them myself. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Fundamentally, the elements involved in a discussion of value have been covered in the prior discussion of aims and interests. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Watson's paper is dated January 21, 1748; Franklin's July 11, 1747; several months prior. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Prior to 1878 the speed of the average spindle was limited to 5,000 revolutions a minute. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- We have already noted that plasticity is the capacity to retain and carry over from prior experience factors which modify subsequent activities. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Ye are mad, my masters, said the Prior; where am I to find such a sum? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Prior to its adoption steam was admitted to the cylinder during the whole time the piston was making its stroke from one end of the cylinder to the other. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- An object may be contiguous and prior to another, without being considered as its cause. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Holy Virgin, answered the Prior, turning up his eyes in horror, a Jewess! Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Even the common people, the severest critics of the conduct of their betters, had commiseration with the follies of Prior Aymer. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Prior Aymer also assented to the general proposition, observing, however, That the blessed Jerusalem could not indeed be termed a foreign country. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Edited by Gillian