prior

pri|or¹ W3 [ˈpraıə US praır] adj

[Date: 1700-1800; : Latin; Origin: 'earlier, older, higher in rank', from Latin pri 'before']

1.) existing or arranged before something else or before the present situation

= ↑previous

▪ You do not need any prior knowledge of the subject.

▪ Changes may not be made without the prior approval of the council.

▪ Vegetarian meals are provided by prior agreement.

▪ Some prior experience with the software is needed.

2.) prior warning/notice

a warning or announcement made before something happens

▪ The society must give customers prior notice before changing the cost.

▪ The bomb exploded without any prior warning .

3.) prior to sth

formal before

▪ All the arrangements should be completed prior to your departure.

4.) prior claim

a person's right to something which is considered more important than another person's right to the same thing

▪ His own children have a prior claim to the business.

prior ²

prior² n

[Sense: 1-2; Date: 1900-2000; Origin: PRIOR¹]

[Sense: 3; Date: 1000-1100; : Medieval Latin; Origin: Latin (adjective); PRIOR¹]

1.) the man in charge of a ↑priory

2.) the priest next in rank to the person in charge of an ↑abbey

3.) informal a previous occasion when someone was found guilty of a crime

▪ two priors for homicide