prior

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈpri.ɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpriː.or]^[1]

Forms

prior (comparative, neuter prius, no positive form, superlative prīmus); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *prī̆-jos- (“earlier, former”), a comparative of an adverb pri (“before”), which Festus records as meaning prae.^[2] Its superlative is prīmus.^[2][3] The PIE source Proto-Indo-European *pr(e)i (“before”) is uncertain in detail.^[2]

Cognate with Paelignian prismu, Ancient Greek πρίν (prín, “before”) and Lithuanian priẽ (“at”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found from Livius Andronicus onwards.^[2] Köbler's first source is Ennius (204–169 BC).^[4] In Plautus a girl is born of “an earlier woman”.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant in front, ahead, as Nepos' priores pedes “forefeet”, the previous one, earlier or former, the earlier of two, and the first-mentioned.^[3][5] It also meant preferred or superior, and logically prior.^[3]

As a noun priores were forefathers, and in medieval Latin a prior was a predecessor in office, an abbot, the second monk after the abbot, or a provost of canons.^[6][4] English prior is a borrowing, and priority comes from its Medieval Latin derivative priōritās.^[7]

Timeline

• 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.^[2][4]
• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.^[4]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of an earlier wife.^[3][4]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses prior as a noun.^[4]
• late 14th century – English priority comes from Medieval Latin priōritās.^[7]
• 1714 – English prior as an adjective is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. In front, foremost.^[3][1]
2. The previous, last.^[3]
3. Earlier, former.^[3][1]
4. The earlier of two; the former, the first-mentioned.^[3]
5. Preferred, superior.^[3][1]
6. More fundamental, logically prior.^[3]
7. (noun, Medieval Latin) A predecessor in office; an abbot; the monk second to the abbot.^[6][1]

Word family

• priōrātus
• priorsum
• priusquam
• prius

Related words

• prīmus
• prae
• prīvus
• English prior
• English priority

Usage notes

Lewis & Short note that Cicero nearly always uses prior in time, as opposed to posterior.^[8]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press