priorn.¹

Brit.

/ˈprʌɪə/, U.S.

/ˈpraɪ(ə)r/

Forms: Old English– prior, Middle English prier, Middle English priore, Middle English priowr, Middle English pryoure, Middle English–1500s prioure, Middle English–1500s priur, Middle English–1500s pryour, Middle English–1600s priour, Middle English–1600s pryor, 1500s pryur; Scottish pre-1700 prayor, pre-1700 preor, pre-1700 prieur, pre-1700 priore, pre-1700 priour, pre-1700 prioure, pre-1700 priowre, pre-1700 pryor, pre-1700 pryore, pre-1700 pryour, pre-1700 pryoure, pre-1700 1700s– prior. N.E.D.(1908) also records a form late Middle English pryowre.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Latin prior; French priour.

Etymology: Originally < classical Latin prior (see below); subsequently reinforced by Anglo-Norman priour, Anglo-Norman and Old French priur, prior, Old French priur (12th cent.; Middle French, French prieur ) < classical Latin prior ancestor, predecessor, in post-classical Latin also great man (6th cent., usually in plural), superior officer of a religious house or order, (specifically) abbot (6th cent.), deputy of an abbot (frequently from 9th cent. in British and continental sources), head of a guild (1306, a1465 in British sources, with reference to continental Europe), use as noun of prior prior adj. Compare Old Occitan, Occitan prior (c1105), Portuguese prior (1214), Italian priore (13th cent.); also Old Frisian prior, Middle Dutch prior (Dutch prior), Middle Low German prior, prier, Middle High German prīor (German Prior), Old Icelandic príor, Old Swedish prior (Swedish prior).With prior claustral (see sense 1(a)) compare post-classical Latin prior claustralis (1353, c1530 in British sources), earlier prior claustri (1072, c1266 in British sources); also French prieur claustral (1680). With prior conventual at sense 1(a) compare post-classical Latin prior conventualis (13th cent. in a British source), French prieur conventuel (1680). In sense 2 after Latin prior in the Vulgate, John 1:15. In sense 3b after Italian priore magistrate in a medieval or Reanaissance city state (1310–13). In Middle English a form prieux is also occasionally attested, < Middle French prieux (Old French prieus, 12th cent.), apparently a variant of prior with suffix substitution.

1. Christian Church. A superior officer of a religious house or order. (a) In an abbey (more fully prior claustral): the deputy of an abbot, appointed to exercise certain authority, maintain discipline, and preside over the monastery in his absence. Also (more fully prior conventual): the resident superior in a smaller or daughter monastery. (b) The superior or head of a house of Canons Regular (Augustinians, Arroasians, and originally Premonstratensians). (c) The superior of a house of Friars.In monastic cathedrals, in which the bishop took the place of abbot, the prior was the actual working head of the abbey. The position of prior is retained in some cathedrals as an honorary title, reflecting their historical links with religious orders.See also Grand Prior n. at grand adj., n., and adv. Compounds 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > prior > [noun]

provostOE

priorOE

prévôt1483

prepositor1881

OE Wulfstan II of Worcester in B. Thorpe Diplomatarium Anglicum Ævi Saxonici (1865) 445 Hine God geuferade þæt he wearð prior & fæder þæs bufan cweðenan mynstres.

lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1123 Næfre ne luueden hi munece regol, ac wæron æfre togænes muneces & here regol, and se prior & se munecas of Cantwarabyrig.

lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1129 Þa priores muneces & canonias þa wæron on ealle þa cellas on Englaland.

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 130 A, weila..ȝef ei is imong ow þe geað i singularite..ut of þe floc þet is as in a cloistre þet iesu is heh priur ouer.

c1300 St. Patrick's Purgatory (Laud) 642 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 219 And þe prior with procession to þe ȝate comez.

c1330 Roland & Vernagu (Auch.) (1882) 356 (MED) Þe first chirche..Was seyn Iames in galis Þat he lete arere, Wiþ an hundred chanouns & her priour.

c1410 tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 171 Þat one after þat oþer was i-made priour in þe forseide place and afterward archebisshop of Canturbury.

a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 350 (MED) Þer [sc. the friars'] ordre lettiþ þes but ȝif þei han þer priours leeve.

1455 in J. T. Gilbert Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 287 The Priowrys of the fowre Orderys of Freyerys.

1533 T. More 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere viii. p. cccccxxxii In the same house whereof I was mayster and pryour.

1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 238 Laurence his successor, brought Monkes into the house, the head whereof was called a Pryor, whiche woord..was in deede but the name of a second officer, bicause the Bishop himselfe was accompted the very Abbat.

1640 Acts Parl. Scotl. V. 260/1 All former laws..mad in favouris of..beshopis archbeshopis abbotis pryoris or other prelatis.

1706 tr. L. E. Du Pin New Eccl. Hist. 16th Cent. II. iv. xxi. 379 The general Chapters, or the Visitors of the same Orders, shall appoint Priors-claustral, or Sub-Priors, in the Priories in which there is a Convent, to exercise Corrections and Spiritual Government.

1762 P. Murdoch tr. A. F. Büsching New Syst. Geogr. VI. 343 It [sc. a Lutheran convent] consists of an abbot, a prior, and four conventuals.

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. 299 The archbishop sent his comptroller to the Prior of Christ Church.

1880 W. Smith & S. Cheetham Dict. Christian Antiq. II. 1713 It was the rule for the prior to be elected from among the inmates of the monastery.

1901 J. T. Fowler in Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham III. Introd. p. iii In Durham, as in Winchester, Ely, and other monastic Cathedrals, the Bishop was the honorary and titular head, while the true head of the house was the Prior.

1995 Daily Tel. 20 Nov. 23/1 A Roman Catholic monk has been installed as Prior of Chester Cathedral.

†2. A person who is superior in rank to another. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] > person of > specific superior

un-i-makeOE

betterOE

higherOE

greaterc1350

priora1425

overerc1443

superior?a1475

superordinate1816

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 75 (MED) He is to come after Joon, al if he be Joonis pryour.

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 77 Þis is he þat Y seide of, ‘After me is to comen a man þe whiche is made bifore me,’ for he was anoon my priour [cf. Vulg. John 1:15 quia prior me erat].

3. Now historical.

a. In some parts of Europe and South America: the title of the elected head of a guild of merchants or craftsmen, having judicial authority over members of the guild.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > worker > those involved in labour relations > [noun] > member of guild, etc. > head of

kirkmaster1497

prior1604

1604 Merchants New-Royall-Exchaunge B ij b The Merchants [at Rouen]..shall chuse out of the said number three officers, viz. A Prior and two Consulls, to remaine in their authoritie for one yeare.

1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo iii. xii. 428 If any such Sequestration is made vniustly, or without cause, the Ciuile Law, as also the office of Priour and Consulls (hereafter declared) will giue good costs and dammages.

1748 tr. P. Lozano True Relation Earthquake Lima i. 60 The Court of Commerce is the Consulship, where a Prior and two Consuls preside.

1781 J. Weskett Compl. Digest Theory, Laws, & Pract. Insurance 126 A species of courts of judicature..consisting commonly of a prior and consuls.

1878–83 L. Villari tr. P. Villari Life & Times Machiavelli (1898) II. xiv. 398 The working-classes placed the Priors of the Guilds at the head of the Government.

1901 L. Villari & P. Villari Two First Cent. Florentine Hist. v. 302 The total number of the guilds was finally fixed at twenty one. In 1290 another law was passed,..decreeing that no prior could be re-elected to office until three years had elapsed.

1991 L. S. Hoberman Mexico's Merchant Elite i. 50 Andrés de Acosta, while serving as prior of the consulado, the highest commercial position in New Spain..shipped virtually nothing on his own account.

b. (The title of) a chief magistrate governing the former Florentine republic. Cf. priorate n. 3.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > a or the government > head of government > [noun] > in a republic > in Italian republics

dukea1549

doge1549

gonfalonier1586

priora1630

abbot1734

a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) i. vi. 93 Still the Cittizens had theire wonted Magistrate called Gonfaloniere, and theire Priour of Justice.

1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 184 They chuse three heads or chiefs whom they call Priors..each one writes in his Schedule the name of him he would have to be Duke.

1790 T. Penrose Sketch Lives & Writings Dante & Petrarch 13 In the year 1300, Dante was chosen prior, or supreme officer of Florence.

1910 J. Ross Lives Early Medici Introd. 2 Ardingo..was the first of the family to hold high office in Florence. He became Prior of the city in 1291.

1995 N. Rubinstein Palazzo Vecchio 54 Jacopo Cocchi Donati was Prior in 1446, 1450, and 1466, and a member of the Medicean Balia.

†4. The first or greatest; the chief. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best person

bellman1617

optimate1635

prior1644

stang1808

top-sawyer1826

No. 11843

beyond-man1896

1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 127 Plato, the Prior of all ancient Philosophers.

5. In commerce: the head of a company. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > chairperson or manager

chairman1738

president1762

business manager1845

prior1853

1853 J. Millhouse New Eng.–Ital. Dict. II. Prior (com.), socio principale, direttore.

1865 Circular of Messrs. A. Gibbs & Sons 2 Jan. We beg leave to inform you that we have this day admitted as partner in our House Mr. George Louis Monck Gibbs, nephew of our prior.

1908 Morning Post 1 Jan. 2/1 Messrs. Antony Gibbs and Sons announce that they have admitted into partnership the Hon. Gerald Gibbs, son of their prior, Lord Aldenham.

Derivatives

† prioracy n. Obsolete rare the office of prior.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > prior > [noun] > office of

priorya1387

prepositurec1425

priorheadc1425

prioratec1475

provostship1514

priorship1563

prioracy1895

1895 E. M. Thompson Hist. Somerset Carthusians 71 St. Hugh's immediate successor in the prioracy was Bovo.

ˈprioral adj. [compare post-classical Latin prioralis (12th cent.; c1260, c1465 in British sources), French prieural (1694 or earlier)] of or relating to a prior.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > prior > [adjective]

priorlyc1626

prioral?a1737

?a1737 W. Hals Compl. Hist. Cornwal (?1750) ii. xiii. 20 Also this Prioral Rectory Church, long before its Dissolution, was converted by the Prior into a Vicarage Church.

1882 Athenæum 30 Sept. 427/3 The Abbot of Bath, who thereto had at once erected a prioral cell.

1956 Speculum 31 603 A Cluniac monk of Bermondsey..received further dispensation to exercise abbatial or prioral functions.

1997 Eng. Hist. Rev. 112 1076 The records of the episcopal and prioral estates on south Tweedside.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

prioradj.adv.n.²

Brit.

/ˈprʌɪə/, U.S.

/ˈpraɪ(ə)r/

Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin prior.

Etymology: < classical Latin prior in front, previous, former, earlier, elder, superior, more important < pri before (recorded as an old form in an 8th-cent. epitome of a 2nd-cent. grammarian; < the same Indo-European base as Old Church Slavonic pri , Russian pri , pri- , Old Prussian prei , Lithuanian prie , prie- , pry- , ultimately < the same Indo-European base as fore adv.) + the base of -ior -ior suffix². Compare Middle French prieur (1551), Spanish prior (1174), both in sense ‘anterior’.

A. adj.

1. That precedes in time or order; earlier, former, anterior, antecedent.

a. attributive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective]

ererc888

fernOE

oldOE

formerc1160

ratherc1330

before-goingc1384

formerc1384

forenexta1400

formea1400

while1399

antecedentc1400

precedentc1400

anteceding?a1425

late1446

whilom1452

preceding?a1475

forne1485

fore1490

heretofore1491

foregoing1530

toforegoing1532

further1557

firster1571

then1584

elder1594

quondam1598

forehand1600

previant1601

preallable1603

prior1607

anterior1608

previal1613

once1620

previous1621

predecessivea1627

antecedaneous?1631

preventive1641

prior1641

precedaneous1645

preventional1649

antegredient1652

senior1655

prevenient1656

precedential1661

antecedental1763

past-gone1784

antevenient1800

aforetime1835

one-time1850

onewhile1882

foretime1894

erstwhile1903

antecedane-

ere-

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adjective] > preceding in order

precedent1418

aforegoingc1443

precedingc1485

superior1534

foregoing1605

prior1607

preposed1608

previous1621

1607 B. Barnes Divils Charter iii. v. sig. F3 Learned Magitian, skild in hidden Artes, As well in prior as posterior parts.

1672 Glasgow Burgesses 194 [He] is therfor in respect of his awne prior honest cariage admitted burgess.

1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. (ed. 2) II. 38 Whether we become partakers of it by a prior or an after-consent.

1791 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1892) XII. 17 The necessity of a prior attention to those duties.

1845 B. Disraeli Sybil i. vi. 83 Lady Marney, duly warned of the impending catastrophe, was experiencing all the advantages of prior information.

1886 T. Hardy Mayor of Casterbridge I. xiii. 152 The Mayor..seemed to have schooled himself into a course of strict mechanical rightness towards this woman of prior claim, at any expense to the later one, and to his own sentiments.

1926 J. Black You can't Win ix. 108 If you do fall, the government don't hang a lot of prior convictions on you.

1988 D. Lodge Nice Work iv. iii. 167 Gary implausibly pleaded a prior commitment to homework.

2005 U.S. News & World Rep. 19 Sept. 31/3 Three of his deputies in the agency have virtually no prior experience in handling disasters.

b. In predicative use, chiefly with to.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective]

ererc888

fernOE

oldOE

formerc1160

ratherc1330

before-goingc1384

formerc1384

forenexta1400

formea1400

while1399

antecedentc1400

precedentc1400

anteceding?a1425

late1446

whilom1452

preceding?a1475

forne1485

fore1490

heretofore1491

foregoing1530

toforegoing1532

further1557

firster1571

then1584

elder1594

quondam1598

forehand1600

previant1601

preallable1603

prior1607

anterior1608

previal1613

once1620

previous1621

predecessivea1627

antecedaneous?1631

preventive1641

prior1641

precedaneous1645

preventional1649

antegredient1652

senior1655

prevenient1656

precedential1661

antecedental1763

past-gone1784

antevenient1800

aforetime1835

one-time1850

onewhile1882

foretime1894

erstwhile1903

antecedane-

ere-

1641 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1817) V. 337/1 I & my predicessouris be indouttitlie prior to thame in richt & place of dignitie.

1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. (ed. 2) II. ii. 37 The sin is prior to and..independent of the action.

1739 D. Hume Treat. Human Nature I. i. 22 Our simple impressions are prior to their correspondent ideas.

1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will ii. ii. 39 That is what is meant by a Thing's being prior in the Order of Nature, that it is some Way the Cause or Reason of the Thing, with Respect to which it is said to be prior.

1774 J. Bryant New Syst. II. 263 These rites are said to have been..far prior to the foundation of Rome.

1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun I. xiii. 149 We fancy that we carve it out; but its ultimate shape is prior to all our action.

1886 J. Ruskin Præterita I. ix. 280 There is now scarce vestige left of any building prior to the fifteenth century.

1907 Hibbert Jrnl. July 747 They come in obedience to a necessity prior to their own will.

1938 P. Kavanagh Green Fool xii. 123 I was going home on the evening prior to the races.

2004 9/11 Comm. Rep. (National Comm. Terrorist Attacks U.S.) ii. 51 Jahiliyya [is] the religious term for the period of ignorance prior to the revelations given to the Prophet Mohammed.

2. Statistics. Designating an estimate (of odds or probability) made in ignorance of, or without reference to, some observation or observations. Chiefly in prior probability n. at Compounds. Opposed to posterior.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [adjective] > relating to calculation

prior1921

posterior1972

1921 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 6th Ser. 42 387 Even if the prior probabilities of two laws with different domains are notably different, the effect of several verifications of each is able to make the posterior probabilities of the two laws practically equal to each other and to unity.

1972 A. W. F. Edwards Likelihood iv. 46 The posterior odds of two hypotheses on some data is equal to the product of the prior odds and the likelihood ratio.

1989 IMA Jrnl. Math. applied in Business & Industry 2 28 Consider a Bayesian decision-maker with..a prior density function f(p) on the probability p of each hole being defective. The prior could be based on sample results or on other available information, or be a combination of both.

2005 Statist. in Med. 24 2401 Often researchers want ‘the data to dominate’ when there is no prior information and thus attempt to use vague prior distributions.

B. adv.

With to: previously to, before, in advance of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb]

erea900

beforeeOE

forec1000

toforec1175

therebeforec1200

toforehand1258

forne toc1275

orc1275

andersitha1300

alreadyc1300

rather?1316

beforehandc1330

erstc1330

aforec1350

theretoforea1375

aforehanda1387

forthwitha1400

forwitha1400

or?a1400

ereward14..

toforetimec1400

aforetimes1429

aforetime1433

afore seasons1463

heretoforetime1481

forouth1487

aforrow?a1513

beforrow1568

paravant1590

antecedently1593

formerly1596

precedently1611

preveniently1633

preallably1652

previously1655

precedaneously1657

somewhiles1657

antecedaneously1661

aft1674

prior1675

anteriorly1681

antecedent1690

previous1712

priorly1742

1675 Sir G. Mackenzie Observations 49 It was clear, that there was a former Trade, and correspondence betwixt them, prior to the Sons Infeftment.

1689 W. Jameson Verus Patroclus i. 22 The Scriptures..hold forth these heavenly Rays, and glorious Beams, and Characters of Divinity, prior to the Spirits opening of the understanding.

1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. Introd. p. vi There is no Presumption against This prior to the Proof of it.

1766 S. Pennington Lett. I. 127 It existed prior to the formation of these bodies.

1853 G. S. Faber Diffic. Romanism (ed. 3) i. iv. 116 Prior to the year 1215, a man..might be perfectly orthodox, who denied Transubstantiation, if he held Consubstantiation.

1875 F. H. A. Scrivener 6 Lect. Text New Test. 6 [It] seems, prior to experience, very improbable.

1939 H. Miller Tropic of Capricorn 157 I could never again see the world, or my friends, as I had seen them prior to his coming.

1988 Sunday Gleaner (Kingston, Jam.) 10 Jan. 8 a/3 Prior to all this, word leaked out among the prisoners that the Prime Minister was going to consider a proposal.

2005 Dunoon Observer & Argyllshire Standard 15 July 1/1 Robin and his wife Elaine had been competing in a regatta on the Wednesday prior to the accident.

C. n.²

1. U.S. Police slang and Criminals' slang. A prior arrest or criminal conviction. Cf. previous n. 2. Chiefly in plural.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > conviction or judicial condemnation > [noun] > previous conviction

prior1896

previous1935

1896 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 10 June 2/5 Attorney Donovan, representing Dan Driscoll, the petty larcenist with several priors.

1919 N.Y. Suppl. (Lexis) 174 371 Judge Cabaniss frankly told me that with my priors he could give me life if I was found guilty.

1971 Valley News (Van Nuys, Calif.) 9 Feb. 13 b/5 Judge Davenport gave an example where such a procedure [sc. reducing a felony to a misdemeanor] would be most appropriate: Marijuana possession, no priors,..good family.

1985 E. Leonard Glitz i. 13 The guy he killed was running on speed and trailing a life-time of priors, destined..to crash and burn or die in jail.

2000 D. Conley Honky ii. 10 The judge gave him two weeks at Riker's Island—two days, apparently, for each prior.

2. Statistics. The result of a calculation made in ignorance of, or without reference to, some observation or observations, esp. in the context of Bayesian inference.

ΚΠ

1963 Jrnl. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 58 307 Statisticians need to provide richer sets of priors and data distributions.., with a view to their manageability as well as their utillty.

1978 IEEE Trans. Information Theory 24 506 In a statistical decision problem, the use of approximate or estimated priors leads naturally to the question of the continuity of risk.

2005 Classical & Quantum Gravity 22 S1226 By giving separate priors to different weight groups, we express the fact that they have potentially different scale factors.

Compounds

prior art n. Law (originally U.S.) the methods, technology, and other knowledge relevant to and in existence prior to an invention for which a patent is being sought.

ΚΠ

1883 W. E. Simonds Summary of Law of Patents 233 Although a thing may come within the terms of a claim, yet the prior art may be such that the terms of the claim must be so narrowed by construction that the thing under inquiry may not really be an infringement.

1962 A. E. Kahn in J. P. Miller Competition, Cartels & their Regulation viii. 329 There are significant variations from one country to another in..the intensity of examinations of the prior art before patents are issued; [etc.].

2000 Daily Mail 9 Nov. 39 The scientific knowledge on which it was based was already in the public domain. In the light of that ‘prior art’, Viagra was not an ‘unexpected discovery’.

prior charge n. Finance a class of stock or capital which takes precedence over ordinary stocks or capital with regard to claims for payment.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > stocks, shares, or bonds > [noun] > types of

redeemables1720

government bond1737

corporate bond1810

trustee security1859

international1863

foreigners1883

most active list1885

gilt-edge1900

actual1908

heavies1922

toxic waste1922

gilt-edged1930

prior charge1930

short1932

gilt1936

performer1939

tap1948

energy security1960

fallen angel1963

medium1968

physicals1974

underperformer1975

taplet1982

1851 Times 14 July 7/1 It secures a prior charge on the gross receipts to an extent adequate, if not more than adequate, to the interest on the amount necessary to complete the entire line.]

1930 Economist 22 Mar. 653/1 Foreign bonds, industrial prior-charge stocks and even industrial preference shares shared in the general tendency, though to a less conspicuous extent.

1968 H. Johannsen & A. Robertson Managem. Gloss. 105 Prior charges, all types of debentures, preference shares and other stocks ranking for payment of interest or dividend in precedence to the ordinary shares.

2001 Financial Times 27 Jan. 27/6 The NAV basis assumes prior charges at par value, convertibles converted and warrants exercised if dilution occurs.

prior lien n. Law a lien on property (or other assets) which has priority over other liens on the same property.

ΚΠ

1767 J. T. Atkyns Rep. Cases Chancery 2 244 If there were creditors of the husband, who had a prior lien on the property so conveyed, it might make a material difference.

1811 Times 5 Nov. 3/3 The late Sheriffs of London and Middlesex..had levied an execution upon goods;..upon which goods the plaintiff claimed a prior lien by virtue of a bill of sale.

1987 Jrnl. Southern Afr. Stud. 13 430 The merchant bank took a prior lien on all revenues of the state, reserved a first refusal on future borrowing, [etc.].

prior probability n. Statistics the probability that a hypothesis is true, calculated without reference to certain relevant observations.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > probability

probability1692

chance1785

posterior probability1921

prior probability1921

transition probability1922

1989 New Scientist 4 Nov. 67/4 A theory of scientific reasoning..was provided by Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century English clergyman. In this approach, a scientist first deduces a so-called prior probability of the theory, which is a numerical quantity expressing the scientist's ‘degree of belief’ in it.

prior restraint n. Law (originally and chiefly U.S.) (the imposition of) a governmental ban or restriction on speech or writing prior to its actual expression (a practice that violates the First Amendment in the United States unless the speech or writing is obscene, defamatory, or creates a clear and present danger to society).

ΚΠ

1833 J. Story Commentaries Constit. U.S. 704 The language of this amendment imports no more, than that every man shall have a right to speak, write, and print his opinions upon any subject whatsoever, without any prior restraint.

1930 Chicago Tribune 13 Dec. 6/1 The state must proceed by punishment after publication, not by prior restraints.

1949 Western Polit. Q. 2 397 Such standards do not in any way exercise prior restraint over the licensee's freedom to select specific programs.

1997 A. Barnett This Time 20 The media..should feel it has a duty to investigate and report wrongdoing, therefore there must be no prior restraint on it of any kind.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	prior
释义	priorn.¹ Brit. /ˈprʌɪə/, U.S. /ˈpraɪ(ə)r/ Forms: Old English– prior, Middle English prier, Middle English priore, Middle English priowr, Middle English pryoure, Middle English–1500s prioure, Middle English–1500s priur, Middle English–1500s pryour, Middle English–1600s priour, Middle English–1600s pryor, 1500s pryur; Scottish pre-1700 prayor, pre-1700 preor, pre-1700 prieur, pre-1700 priore, pre-1700 priour, pre-1700 prioure, pre-1700 priowre, pre-1700 pryor, pre-1700 pryore, pre-1700 pryour, pre-1700 pryoure, pre-1700 1700s– prior. N.E.D.(1908) also records a form late Middle English pryowre. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Latin prior; French priour. Etymology: Originally < classical Latin prior (see below); subsequently reinforced by Anglo-Norman priour, Anglo-Norman and Old French priur, prior, Old French priur (12th cent.; Middle French, French prieur ) < classical Latin prior ancestor, predecessor, in post-classical Latin also great man (6th cent., usually in plural), superior officer of a religious house or order, (specifically) abbot (6th cent.), deputy of an abbot (frequently from 9th cent. in British and continental sources), head of a guild (1306, a1465 in British sources, with reference to continental Europe), use as noun of prior prior adj. Compare Old Occitan, Occitan prior (c1105), Portuguese prior (1214), Italian priore (13th cent.); also Old Frisian prior, Middle Dutch prior (Dutch prior), Middle Low German prior, prier, Middle High German prīor (German Prior), Old Icelandic príor, Old Swedish prior (Swedish prior).With prior claustral (see sense 1(a)) compare post-classical Latin prior claustralis (1353, c1530 in British sources), earlier prior claustri (1072, c1266 in British sources); also French prieur claustral (1680). With prior conventual at sense 1(a) compare post-classical Latin prior conventualis (13th cent. in a British source), French prieur conventuel (1680). In sense 2 after Latin prior in the Vulgate, John 1:15. In sense 3b after Italian priore magistrate in a medieval or Reanaissance city state (1310–13). In Middle English a form prieux is also occasionally attested, < Middle French prieux (Old French prieus, 12th cent.), apparently a variant of prior with suffix substitution. 1. Christian Church. A superior officer of a religious house or order. (a) In an abbey (more fully prior claustral): the deputy of an abbot, appointed to exercise certain authority, maintain discipline, and preside over the monastery in his absence. Also (more fully prior conventual): the resident superior in a smaller or daughter monastery. (b) The superior or head of a house of Canons Regular (Augustinians, Arroasians, and originally Premonstratensians). (c) The superior of a house of Friars.In monastic cathedrals, in which the bishop took the place of abbot, the prior was the actual working head of the abbey. The position of prior is retained in some cathedrals as an honorary title, reflecting their historical links with religious orders.See also Grand Prior n. at grand adj., n., and adv. Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > prior > [noun] provostOE priorOE prévôt1483 prepositor1881 OE Wulfstan II of Worcester in B. Thorpe Diplomatarium Anglicum Ævi Saxonici (1865) 445 Hine God geuferade þæt he wearð prior & fæder þæs bufan cweðenan mynstres. lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1123 Næfre ne luueden hi munece regol, ac wæron æfre togænes muneces & here regol, and se prior & se munecas of Cantwarabyrig. lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1129 Þa priores muneces & canonias þa wæron on ealle þa cellas on Englaland. c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 130 A, weila..ȝef ei is imong ow þe geað i singularite..ut of þe floc þet is as in a cloistre þet iesu is heh priur ouer. c1300 St. Patrick's Purgatory (Laud) 642 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 219 And þe prior with procession to þe ȝate comez. c1330 Roland & Vernagu (Auch.) (1882) 356 (MED) Þe first chirche..Was seyn Iames in galis Þat he lete arere, Wiþ an hundred chanouns & her priour. c1410 tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 171 Þat one after þat oþer was i-made priour in þe forseide place and afterward archebisshop of Canturbury. a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 350 (MED) Þer [sc. the friars'] ordre lettiþ þes but ȝif þei han þer priours leeve. 1455 in J. T. Gilbert Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 287 The Priowrys of the fowre Orderys of Freyerys. 1533 T. More 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere viii. p. cccccxxxii In the same house whereof I was mayster and pryour. 1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 238 Laurence his successor, brought Monkes into the house, the head whereof was called a Pryor, whiche woord..was in deede but the name of a second officer, bicause the Bishop himselfe was accompted the very Abbat. 1640 Acts Parl. Scotl. V. 260/1 All former laws..mad in favouris of..beshopis archbeshopis abbotis pryoris or other prelatis. 1706 tr. L. E. Du Pin New Eccl. Hist. 16th Cent. II. iv. xxi. 379 The general Chapters, or the Visitors of the same Orders, shall appoint Priors-claustral, or Sub-Priors, in the Priories in which there is a Convent, to exercise Corrections and Spiritual Government. 1762 P. Murdoch tr. A. F. Büsching New Syst. Geogr. VI. 343 It [sc. a Lutheran convent] consists of an abbot, a prior, and four conventuals. 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. 299 The archbishop sent his comptroller to the Prior of Christ Church. 1880 W. Smith & S. Cheetham Dict. Christian Antiq. II. 1713 It was the rule for the prior to be elected from among the inmates of the monastery. 1901 J. T. Fowler in Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham III. Introd. p. iii In Durham, as in Winchester, Ely, and other monastic Cathedrals, the Bishop was the honorary and titular head, while the true head of the house was the Prior. 1995 Daily Tel. 20 Nov. 23/1 A Roman Catholic monk has been installed as Prior of Chester Cathedral. †2. A person who is superior in rank to another. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] > person of > specific superior un-i-makeOE betterOE higherOE greaterc1350 priora1425 overerc1443 superior?a1475 superordinate1816 a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 75 (MED) He is to come after Joon, al if he be Joonis pryour. a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 77 Þis is he þat Y seide of, ‘After me is to comen a man þe whiche is made bifore me,’ for he was anoon my priour [cf. Vulg. John 1:15 quia prior me erat]. 3. Now historical. a. In some parts of Europe and South America: the title of the elected head of a guild of merchants or craftsmen, having judicial authority over members of the guild. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > worker > those involved in labour relations > [noun] > member of guild, etc. > head of kirkmaster1497 prior1604 1604 Merchants New-Royall-Exchaunge B ij b The Merchants [at Rouen]..shall chuse out of the said number three officers, viz. A Prior and two Consulls, to remaine in their authoritie for one yeare. 1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo iii. xii. 428 If any such Sequestration is made vniustly, or without cause, the Ciuile Law, as also the office of Priour and Consulls (hereafter declared) will giue good costs and dammages. 1748 tr. P. Lozano True Relation Earthquake Lima i. 60 The Court of Commerce is the Consulship, where a Prior and two Consuls preside. 1781 J. Weskett Compl. Digest Theory, Laws, & Pract. Insurance 126 A species of courts of judicature..consisting commonly of a prior and consuls. 1878–83 L. Villari tr. P. Villari Life & Times Machiavelli (1898) II. xiv. 398 The working-classes placed the Priors of the Guilds at the head of the Government. 1901 L. Villari & P. Villari Two First Cent. Florentine Hist. v. 302 The total number of the guilds was finally fixed at twenty one. In 1290 another law was passed,..decreeing that no prior could be re-elected to office until three years had elapsed. 1991 L. S. Hoberman Mexico's Merchant Elite i. 50 Andrés de Acosta, while serving as prior of the consulado, the highest commercial position in New Spain..shipped virtually nothing on his own account. b. (The title of) a chief magistrate governing the former Florentine republic. Cf. priorate n. 3. ΘΚΠ society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > a or the government > head of government > [noun] > in a republic > in Italian republics dukea1549 doge1549 gonfalonier1586 priora1630 abbot1734 a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) i. vi. 93 Still the Cittizens had theire wonted Magistrate called Gonfaloniere, and theire Priour of Justice. 1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 184 They chuse three heads or chiefs whom they call Priors..each one writes in his Schedule the name of him he would have to be Duke. 1790 T. Penrose Sketch Lives & Writings Dante & Petrarch 13 In the year 1300, Dante was chosen prior, or supreme officer of Florence. 1910 J. Ross Lives Early Medici Introd. 2 Ardingo..was the first of the family to hold high office in Florence. He became Prior of the city in 1291. 1995 N. Rubinstein Palazzo Vecchio 54 Jacopo Cocchi Donati was Prior in 1446, 1450, and 1466, and a member of the Medicean Balia. †4. The first or greatest; the chief. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best person bellman1617 optimate1635 prior1644 stang1808 top-sawyer1826 No. 11843 beyond-man1896 1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 127 Plato, the Prior of all ancient Philosophers. 5. In commerce: the head of a company. rare. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > chairperson or manager chairman1738 president1762 business manager1845 prior1853 1853 J. Millhouse New Eng.–Ital. Dict. II. Prior (com.), socio principale, direttore. 1865 Circular of Messrs. A. Gibbs & Sons 2 Jan. We beg leave to inform you that we have this day admitted as partner in our House Mr. George Louis Monck Gibbs, nephew of our prior. 1908 Morning Post 1 Jan. 2/1 Messrs. Antony Gibbs and Sons announce that they have admitted into partnership the Hon. Gerald Gibbs, son of their prior, Lord Aldenham. Derivatives † prioracy n. Obsolete rare the office of prior. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > prior > [noun] > office of priorya1387 prepositurec1425 priorheadc1425 prioratec1475 provostship1514 priorship1563 prioracy1895 1895 E. M. Thompson Hist. Somerset Carthusians 71 St. Hugh's immediate successor in the prioracy was Bovo. ˈprioral adj. [compare post-classical Latin prioralis (12th cent.; c1260, c1465 in British sources), French prieural (1694 or earlier)] of or relating to a prior. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > monasticism > religious superior > prior > [adjective] priorlyc1626 prioral?a1737 ?a1737 W. Hals Compl. Hist. Cornwal (?1750) ii. xiii. 20 Also this Prioral Rectory Church, long before its Dissolution, was converted by the Prior into a Vicarage Church. 1882 Athenæum 30 Sept. 427/3 The Abbot of Bath, who thereto had at once erected a prioral cell. 1956 Speculum 31 603 A Cluniac monk of Bermondsey..received further dispensation to exercise abbatial or prioral functions. 1997 Eng. Hist. Rev. 112 1076 The records of the episcopal and prioral estates on south Tweedside. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). prioradj.adv.n.² Brit. /ˈprʌɪə/, U.S. /ˈpraɪ(ə)r/ Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin prior. Etymology: < classical Latin prior in front, previous, former, earlier, elder, superior, more important < pri before (recorded as an old form in an 8th-cent. epitome of a 2nd-cent. grammarian; < the same Indo-European base as Old Church Slavonic pri , Russian pri , pri- , Old Prussian prei , Lithuanian prie , prie- , pry- , ultimately < the same Indo-European base as fore adv.) + the base of -ior -ior suffix². Compare Middle French prieur (1551), Spanish prior (1174), both in sense ‘anterior’. A. adj. 1. That precedes in time or order; earlier, former, anterior, antecedent. a. attributive. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] ererc888 fernOE oldOE oldOE formerc1160 ratherc1330 before-goingc1384 formerc1384 forenexta1400 formea1400 while1399 antecedentc1400 precedentc1400 anteceding?a1425 late1446 whilom1452 preceding?a1475 forne1485 fore1490 heretofore1491 foregoing1530 toforegoing1532 further1557 firster1571 then1584 elder1594 quondam1598 forehand1600 previant1601 preallable1603 prior1607 anterior1608 previal1613 once1620 previous1621 predecessivea1627 antecedaneous?1631 preventive1641 prior1641 precedaneous1645 preventional1649 antegredient1652 senior1655 prevenient1656 precedential1661 antecedental1763 past-gone1784 antevenient1800 aforetime1835 one-time1850 onewhile1882 foretime1894 erstwhile1903 antecedane- ere- the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adjective] > preceding in order precedent1418 aforegoingc1443 precedingc1485 superior1534 foregoing1605 prior1607 preposed1608 previous1621 1607 B. Barnes Divils Charter iii. v. sig. F3 Learned Magitian, skild in hidden Artes, As well in prior as posterior parts. 1672 Glasgow Burgesses 194 [He] is therfor in respect of his awne prior honest cariage admitted burgess. 1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. (ed. 2) II. 38 Whether we become partakers of it by a prior or an after-consent. 1791 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1892) XII. 17 The necessity of a prior attention to those duties. 1845 B. Disraeli Sybil i. vi. 83 Lady Marney, duly warned of the impending catastrophe, was experiencing all the advantages of prior information. 1886 T. Hardy Mayor of Casterbridge I. xiii. 152 The Mayor..seemed to have schooled himself into a course of strict mechanical rightness towards this woman of prior claim, at any expense to the later one, and to his own sentiments. 1926 J. Black You can't Win ix. 108 If you do fall, the government don't hang a lot of prior convictions on you. 1988 D. Lodge Nice Work iv. iii. 167 Gary implausibly pleaded a prior commitment to homework. 2005 U.S. News & World Rep. 19 Sept. 31/3 Three of his deputies in the agency have virtually no prior experience in handling disasters. b. In predicative use, chiefly with to. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] ererc888 fernOE oldOE oldOE formerc1160 ratherc1330 before-goingc1384 formerc1384 forenexta1400 formea1400 while1399 antecedentc1400 precedentc1400 anteceding?a1425 late1446 whilom1452 preceding?a1475 forne1485 fore1490 heretofore1491 foregoing1530 toforegoing1532 further1557 firster1571 then1584 elder1594 quondam1598 forehand1600 previant1601 preallable1603 prior1607 anterior1608 previal1613 once1620 previous1621 predecessivea1627 antecedaneous?1631 preventive1641 prior1641 precedaneous1645 preventional1649 antegredient1652 senior1655 prevenient1656 precedential1661 antecedental1763 past-gone1784 antevenient1800 aforetime1835 one-time1850 onewhile1882 foretime1894 erstwhile1903 antecedane- ere- 1641 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1817) V. 337/1 I & my predicessouris be indouttitlie prior to thame in richt & place of dignitie. 1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. (ed. 2) II. ii. 37 The sin is prior to and..independent of the action. 1739 D. Hume Treat. Human Nature I. i. 22 Our simple impressions are prior to their correspondent ideas. 1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will ii. ii. 39 That is what is meant by a Thing's being prior in the Order of Nature, that it is some Way the Cause or Reason of the Thing, with Respect to which it is said to be prior. 1774 J. Bryant New Syst. II. 263 These rites are said to have been..far prior to the foundation of Rome. 1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun I. xiii. 149 We fancy that we carve it out; but its ultimate shape is prior to all our action. 1886 J. Ruskin Præterita I. ix. 280 There is now scarce vestige left of any building prior to the fifteenth century. 1907 Hibbert Jrnl. July 747 They come in obedience to a necessity prior to their own will. 1938 P. Kavanagh Green Fool xii. 123 I was going home on the evening prior to the races. 2004 9/11 Comm. Rep. (National Comm. Terrorist Attacks U.S.) ii. 51 Jahiliyya [is] the religious term for the period of ignorance prior to the revelations given to the Prophet Mohammed. 2. Statistics. Designating an estimate (of odds or probability) made in ignorance of, or without reference to, some observation or observations. Chiefly in prior probability n. at Compounds. Opposed to posterior. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [adjective] > relating to calculation prior1921 posterior1972 1921 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 6th Ser. 42 387 Even if the prior probabilities of two laws with different domains are notably different, the effect of several verifications of each is able to make the posterior probabilities of the two laws practically equal to each other and to unity. 1972 A. W. F. Edwards Likelihood iv. 46 The posterior odds of two hypotheses on some data is equal to the product of the prior odds and the likelihood ratio. 1989 IMA Jrnl. Math. applied in Business & Industry 2 28 Consider a Bayesian decision-maker with..a prior density function f(p) on the probability p of each hole being defective. The prior could be based on sample results or on other available information, or be a combination of both. 2005 Statist. in Med. 24 2401 Often researchers want ‘the data to dominate’ when there is no prior information and thus attempt to use vague prior distributions. B. adv. With to: previously to, before, in advance of. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] erea900 beforeeOE forec1000 toforec1175 therebeforec1200 toforehand1258 forne toc1275 orc1275 andersitha1300 alreadyc1300 rather?1316 beforehandc1330 erstc1330 aforec1350 theretoforea1375 aforehanda1387 forthwitha1400 forwitha1400 or?a1400 ereward14.. toforetimec1400 aforetimes1429 aforetime1433 afore seasons1463 heretoforetime1481 forouth1487 aforrow?a1513 beforrow1568 paravant1590 antecedently1593 formerly1596 precedently1611 preveniently1633 preallably1652 previously1655 precedaneously1657 somewhiles1657 antecedaneously1661 aft1674 prior1675 anteriorly1681 antecedent1690 previous1712 priorly1742 1675 Sir G. Mackenzie Observations 49 It was clear, that there was a former Trade, and correspondence betwixt them, prior to the Sons Infeftment. 1689 W. Jameson Verus Patroclus i. 22 The Scriptures..hold forth these heavenly Rays, and glorious Beams, and Characters of Divinity, prior to the Spirits opening of the understanding. 1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. Introd. p. vi There is no Presumption against This prior to the Proof of it. 1766 S. Pennington Lett. I. 127 It existed prior to the formation of these bodies. 1853 G. S. Faber Diffic. Romanism (ed. 3) i. iv. 116 Prior to the year 1215, a man..might be perfectly orthodox, who denied Transubstantiation, if he held Consubstantiation. 1875 F. H. A. Scrivener 6 Lect. Text New Test. 6 [It] seems, prior to experience, very improbable. 1939 H. Miller Tropic of Capricorn 157 I could never again see the world, or my friends, as I had seen them prior to his coming. 1988 Sunday Gleaner (Kingston, Jam.) 10 Jan. 8 a/3 Prior to all this, word leaked out among the prisoners that the Prime Minister was going to consider a proposal. 2005 Dunoon Observer & Argyllshire Standard 15 July 1/1 Robin and his wife Elaine had been competing in a regatta on the Wednesday prior to the accident. C. n.² 1. U.S. Police slang and Criminals' slang. A prior arrest or criminal conviction. Cf. previous n. 2. Chiefly in plural. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > conviction or judicial condemnation > [noun] > previous conviction prior1896 previous1935 1896 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 10 June 2/5 Attorney Donovan, representing Dan Driscoll, the petty larcenist with several priors. 1919 N.Y. Suppl. (Lexis) 174 371 Judge Cabaniss frankly told me that with my priors he could give me life if I was found guilty. 1971 Valley News (Van Nuys, Calif.) 9 Feb. 13 b/5 Judge Davenport gave an example where such a procedure [sc. reducing a felony to a misdemeanor] would be most appropriate: Marijuana possession, no priors,..good family. 1985 E. Leonard Glitz i. 13 The guy he killed was running on speed and trailing a life-time of priors, destined..to crash and burn or die in jail. 2000 D. Conley Honky ii. 10 The judge gave him two weeks at Riker's Island—two days, apparently, for each prior. 2. Statistics. The result of a calculation made in ignorance of, or without reference to, some observation or observations, esp. in the context of Bayesian inference. ΚΠ 1963 Jrnl. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 58 307 Statisticians need to provide richer sets of priors and data distributions.., with a view to their manageability as well as their utillty. 1978 IEEE Trans. Information Theory 24 506 In a statistical decision problem, the use of approximate or estimated priors leads naturally to the question of the continuity of risk. 2005 Classical & Quantum Gravity 22 S1226 By giving separate priors to different weight groups, we express the fact that they have potentially different scale factors. Compounds prior art n. Law (originally U.S.) the methods, technology, and other knowledge relevant to and in existence prior to an invention for which a patent is being sought. ΚΠ 1883 W. E. Simonds Summary of Law of Patents 233 Although a thing may come within the terms of a claim, yet the prior art may be such that the terms of the claim must be so narrowed by construction that the thing under inquiry may not really be an infringement. 1962 A. E. Kahn in J. P. Miller Competition, Cartels & their Regulation viii. 329 There are significant variations from one country to another in..the intensity of examinations of the prior art before patents are issued; [etc.]. 2000 Daily Mail 9 Nov. 39 The scientific knowledge on which it was based was already in the public domain. In the light of that ‘prior art’, Viagra was not an ‘unexpected discovery’. prior charge n. Finance a class of stock or capital which takes precedence over ordinary stocks or capital with regard to claims for payment. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > stocks, shares, or bonds > [noun] > types of redeemables1720 government bond1737 corporate bond1810 trustee security1859 international1863 foreigners1883 most active list1885 gilt-edge1900 actual1908 heavies1922 toxic waste1922 gilt-edged1930 prior charge1930 short1932 gilt1936 performer1939 tap1948 energy security1960 fallen angel1963 medium1968 physicals1974 underperformer1975 taplet1982 1851 Times 14 July 7/1 It secures a prior charge on the gross receipts to an extent adequate, if not more than adequate, to the interest on the amount necessary to complete the entire line.] 1930 Economist 22 Mar. 653/1 Foreign bonds, industrial prior-charge stocks and even industrial preference shares shared in the general tendency, though to a less conspicuous extent. 1968 H. Johannsen & A. Robertson Managem. Gloss. 105 Prior charges, all types of debentures, preference shares and other stocks ranking for payment of interest or dividend in precedence to the ordinary shares. 2001 Financial Times 27 Jan. 27/6 The NAV basis assumes prior charges at par value, convertibles converted and warrants exercised if dilution occurs. prior lien n. Law a lien on property (or other assets) which has priority over other liens on the same property. ΚΠ 1767 J. T. Atkyns Rep. Cases Chancery 2 244 If there were creditors of the husband, who had a prior lien on the property so conveyed, it might make a material difference. 1811 Times 5 Nov. 3/3 The late Sheriffs of London and Middlesex..had levied an execution upon goods;..upon which goods the plaintiff claimed a prior lien by virtue of a bill of sale. 1987 Jrnl. Southern Afr. Stud. 13 430 The merchant bank took a prior lien on all revenues of the state, reserved a first refusal on future borrowing, [etc.]. prior probability n. Statistics the probability that a hypothesis is true, calculated without reference to certain relevant observations. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > probability probability1692 chance1785 posterior probability1921 prior probability1921 transition probability1922 1921 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 6th Ser. 42 387 Even if the prior probabilities of two laws with different domains are notably different, the effect of several verifications of each is able to make the posterior probabilities of the two laws practically equal to each other and to unity. 1989 New Scientist 4 Nov. 67/4 A theory of scientific reasoning..was provided by Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century English clergyman. In this approach, a scientist first deduces a so-called prior probability of the theory, which is a numerical quantity expressing the scientist's ‘degree of belief’ in it. prior restraint n. Law (originally and chiefly U.S.) (the imposition of) a governmental ban or restriction on speech or writing prior to its actual expression (a practice that violates the First Amendment in the United States unless the speech or writing is obscene, defamatory, or creates a clear and present danger to society). ΚΠ 1833 J. Story Commentaries Constit. U.S. 704 The language of this amendment imports no more, than that every man shall have a right to speak, write, and print his opinions upon any subject whatsoever, without any prior restraint. 1930 Chicago Tribune 13 Dec. 6/1 The state must proceed by punishment after publication, not by prior restraints. 1949 Western Polit. Q. 2 397 Such standards do not in any way exercise prior restraint over the licensee's freedom to select specific programs. 1997 A. Barnett This Time 20 The media..should feel it has a duty to investigate and report wrongdoing, therefore there must be no prior restraint on it of any kind. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.¹OEadj.adv.n.²1607
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priorn.1

Derivatives

prioradj.adv.n.2

Compounds

priorn.¹

prioradj.adv.n.²