Sekirov Dictionary

prior

UK /ˈpɹaɪ.ə/US /ˈpɹaɪ.(ə)ɹ/

adjective3

  1. belonging to an earlier time, or coming first in order
  2. Chiefly in prior probability: of the probability of an event: determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.
  3. More important or significant.

noun13

  1. A high-ranking member of a religious house or religious order.
  2. [in the plural] (US, Canada) A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record.
  3. A prior probability distribution, that is, one determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.
  4. In the rationalsphere: a belief supported by previous evidence or experience that one can use to make inferences about the future.
  5. In an abbey, the person ranking just after the abbot, appointed as his deputy; a prior claustral.
  6. The head of a priory (“a monastery which is usually a branch of an abbey”), or some other minor or smaller monastery; a prior conventual.
  7. The head friar of a house of friars.
  8. The head of the Arrouaisian, Augustinian, and formerly Premonstratensian religious orders.
  9. An honorary position held by a priest in some cathedrals.
  10. (historical) The elected head of a guild of craftsmen or merchants in some countries in Europe and South America.
  11. (historical) A chief magistrate of the Republic of Florence (1115–1569) in what is now Italy.
  12. (no longer used) The head of a company.
  13. (no longer used) A person who is the earliest or most prominent in a field; the chief.

adverb1

  1. Chiefly followed by to: in advance, before, previously.
forms

priors · more prior · most prior

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