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 (a person of authority in an organization)

    prior (a high ranking official in medieval Italy)

    genitive of priora

    prior (superior of a religious or military order.)

    prior (a high-ranking member of a monastery)

    Source: wiktionary.org