I. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praestus ready — more at presto
obsolete : ready , prompt , quick , prepared
II. ˈprest noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, loan, from Old French, from prester to lend, give, from Latin praestare to be responsible for, perform, pay, give, from praed-, praes surety, bondsman (from prae- pre- + vad-, vas bail, security) + stare to stand — more at wed , stand
1. obsolete
a. : a loan of money ; especially : a forced loan to the sovereign
b. : an advance on wages or on the cost of an undertaking
c. : prest money
2. English law : a duty formerly paid by the sheriff on his account into the exchequer or for money in his hands
III.
archaic
variant of pressed