Prior
/ˈpraɪ.ər/noun
Earlier in time or order; also, a person of higher rank in some religious orders.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *prior*, meaning “former” or “earlier,” and in medieval religious life it became a title for someone who ranked just below an abbot, turning “earlier” into power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to go forward, pass by, be first”
Latin
Latin
prior
“former, earlier, superior in rank”
Late Latin
Latin
prior
“a superior in a monastery”
Old French
Old French
prior
“a monastic superior”
Middle English
English
prior
“earlier; a monastic official”
Modern English
English
prior
“earlier in time or order; a religious superior”