[pri.or] n [ME, fr. OE & OF; both fr. ML, fr. LL, administrator, fr. L, former, superior] (bef. 12c) 1: the superior ranking next to the abbot of a monastery
2: the superior of a house or group of houses of any of various religious communities -- pri.or.ate n -- pri.or.ship n
[2]pri.or adj [L, former, superior, compar. of OL pri before; akin to L priscus ancient, prae before--more at for] (1714) 1: earlier in time or order: previous "by ~ agreement"
2: taking precedence (as in importance) syn see preceding -- pri.or.ly adv