~ 1
■ adjective existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
■ noun N. Amer. informal a previous criminal conviction.
Phrases
~ to before.
Origin
C18: from L., lit. 'former, elder', related to prae 'before'.
————————
~ 2
■ noun ( fem. ~ess )
1》 (in an abbey) the person next in rank below an abbot (or abbess).
2》 the head of a house of friars (or nuns).
Derivatives
~ate noun
~ship noun
Origin
OE, from a med. L. noun use of L. ~ (see ~ 1 ).