rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypriorComing before
adjective / noun

prior

PRY-er/ˈpraɪər/

Earlier in time or order.

The woman plants a seed prior to its sprouting.

Two chronological panels: first a woman plants a seed; later the same pot bears a seedling.
Etymology
priorLatinearlier, previous

Latin prior expressed being earlier or previous. The selected English sense preserves that comparison in time: something prior comes before another event or state.

In context

Paralegal Institute of Washington, D.C.18:29
a quick rundown of what this defendant's prior history is including any prior probation violations
Judge THROWS Mounk Tounk in PRISON! #ysltrial #youngthug

More examples

  • No prior experience is required for this class.
  • I can't attend because I have a prior commitment.
  • The judge asks whether the defendant has any priors.

Forms

prior · priors

Similar words

previous
Often refers to the last one before the current one.
earlier
Emphasizes time rather than precedence or an existing claim.
preceding
Often identifies what comes directly before something in a sequence.