prior English · revision 2769

+ The noun ''prior'', a monastic superior, came into Old English from Medieval Latin, while the adjective ''prior'', “earlier”, was borrowed directly from Latin in the 18th century; both go back to Latin prior “former, superior”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈpraɪ.ə/, US /ˈpraɪ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ {{homograph|1|monastic superior}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1093|origins=la prior}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The monastic superior is [[inh|enm|priour]], prior,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from late Old English prior,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) [[bor|la-med|prior|t=superior officer]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) in Late Latin “administrator, predecessor”,^(MWU 2024) a noun use of [[la|prior|t=former, superior]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) It was reinforced in Middle English by Old French priur, prior (modern prieur).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A superior officer of a religious house or order: 1093,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) with the Middle English form first recorded in 1123.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In an abbey the prior ranks next below the abbot, and in a priory he is the head.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) In some former Italian republics, such as Florence, the priors were chief magistrates, from 1604.^(OED 1989) A superior in general is from about 1380, after Latin prior in the Vulgate, and in commerce the head of a firm from 1853, now rare.^(OED 1989) ''Prioress'' is from about 1300 and ''priory'' from the 13th century.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) In American English ''prior'' is also short for a ''prior arrest'' or conviction, from 1990.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1093 – a monastic superior.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – ''prioress''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1604 – a Florentine magistrate.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1990 – a prior conviction (US).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A monk in charge of a [[priory]], or ranking next below the [[abbot]] of an abbey.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # One of the chief magistrates of the medieval republic of Florence.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(US, informal)'' A previous criminal conviction.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[prioress]]

+ * [[priory]]

+ * [[priorate]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|earlier}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1714|origins=ine-pro *per-}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The adjective is [[bor|la|prior|t=former, previous, first; superior]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the comparative of Old Latin prī “before”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*per-|t=forward, before, first]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[m|la|prae|t=before]] and [[m|la|prīscus|t=ancient]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Preceding in time or order, earlier: 1714, often followed by ''to''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates the adjective to 1607.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Preceding in importance is a further sense.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002) ''Prior to'' is used as a preposition meaning “before”, adverbially by 1706.^(Etymonline) ''Priority'' is much older, from about 1385.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1385 – ''priority''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1706 – ''prior to'', before.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1714 – earlier, preceding.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Earlier in time or order; [[previous]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # More important; taking [[precedence]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[priority]]

+ * [[prioritize]]

+ * [[prior to]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[a priori]]

+ * [[prime]]

+ * [[prince]]

+ * [[pristine]]

+ * [[pre-]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}