a. | 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. |
| 2. | First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc. |
n. | 1. | (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. |
| 2. | a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the middle ages. |
| 1. | a prior conviction; - said of an accused criminal. |