What is the meaning of Prior?

Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.

More important or significant.

Chiefly in prior probability: of the probability of an event: determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.

Chiefly followed by to: in advance, before, previously.

A prior probability distribution, that is, one determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.

In the rationalsphere: a belief supported by previous evidence or experience that one can use to make inferences about the future.

A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record.

A high-ranking member of a religious house or religious order.

  1. In an abbey, the person ranking just after the abbot, appointed as his deputy; a prior claustral.

    In an abbey, the person ranking just after the abbot, appointed as his deputy; a prior claustral.

    The head of a priory (a monastery which is usually a branch of an abbey), or some other minor or smaller monastery; a prior conventual.

    The head friar of a house of friars.

    The head of the Arrouaisian, Augustinian, and formerly Premonstratensian religious orders.

    An honorary position held by a priest in some cathedrals.

    1. A chief magistrate of the Republic of Florence (1115–1569) in what is now Italy.
    2. The elected head of a guild of craftsmen or merchants in some countries in Europe and South America.

    A chief magistrate of the Republic of Florence (1115–1569) in what is now Italy.

    The elected head of a guild of craftsmen or merchants in some countries in Europe and South America.

    1. A person who is the earliest or most prominent in a field; the chief.
    2. The head of a company.

    A person who is the earliest or most prominent in a field; the chief.

    The head of a company.

    prior (a high-ranking member of a monastery)

    former, prior, previous, earlier (preceding in time)

    the first, the original

    in front

    better, superior

    abbot, prior

    prior (superior of a religious or military order.)

    prior (a high-ranking member of a monastery)

    Source: wiktionary.org