[ˈprʌɪə], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- existing or coming before in time, order, or importance
(e.g: he has a prior engagement this evening)


Phrases:
- prior to

Origin:
early 17th century: from Latin, literally ‘former, elder’, related to prae ‘before’

[ˈprʌɪə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a previous criminal conviction
(e.g: he had no juvenile record, no priors)


Phrases:
- prior to

Origin:
early 17th century: from Latin, literally ‘former, elder’, related to prae ‘before’

[ˈprʌɪə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a man who is head of a house or group of houses of certain religious orders
(e.g: the English Reformation removed powerful abbots and priors from their seats)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Old English prior, from a medieval Latin noun use of Latin prior ‘elder, former’ (see prior)