prior Latin · revision 3855

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Livius Andronicus|origins=ine-pro *pr(e)i}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈpri.ɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpriː.or]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prior''' (comparative, neuter prius, no positive form, superlative prīmus); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*prī̆-jos-|t=earlier, former]], a comparative of an adverb [[m|la|pri|t=before]], which Festus records as meaning [[prae]].^(de Vaan 2008) Its superlative is [[primus|alt=prīmus]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) The PIE source [[ine-pro|*pr(e)i|t=before]] is uncertain in detail.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Cognate with [[pgn|prismu]], [[grc|πρίν|tr=prín|t=before]] and [[lt|priẽ|t=at]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Livius Andronicus onwards.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler's first source is Ennius (204–169 BC).^(Köbler 2010) In Plautus a girl is born of “an earlier woman”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) It also meant preferred or superior, and logically prior.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ 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.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010) English ''prior'' is a borrowing, and ''priority'' comes from its Medieval Latin derivative ''priōritās''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of an earlier wife.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses ''prior'' as a noun.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''priority'' comes from Medieval Latin ''priōritās''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1714 – English ''prior'' as an adjective is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # In front, foremost.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The [[m|en|previous]], last.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Earlier, former.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The earlier of two; the former, the first-mentioned.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Preferred, [[m|en|superior]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # More fundamental, logically prior.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(noun, Medieval Latin)'' A predecessor in office; an [[m|en|abbot]]; the monk second to the abbot.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[priōrātus]]

+ * [[priorsum]]

+ * [[priusquam]]

+ * [[prius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prīmus]]

+ * [[prae]]

+ * [[prīvus]]

+ * [[en|prior]]

+ * [[en|priority]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Lewis & Short note that Cicero nearly always uses ''prior'' in time, as opposed to ''posterior''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}