prior

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pri·or1 / ˈprīər/ • adj. existing or coming before in time, order, or importance: he has a prior engagement this evening.• n. inf. a previous criminal conviction: he had no juvenile record, no priors.PHRASES: prior to before a particular time or event: she visited me on the day prior to her death.pri·or2 • n. a man who is head of a house or group of houses of certain religious orders, in particular: ∎  the man next in rank below an abbot. ∎  the head of a house of friars.DERIVATIVES: pri·or·ate / ˈprīərət/ n.pri·or·ship / -ˌship/ n.

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