prior

Preceding, as in the order of time, of thought, of origin, of dignity, or of importance; in law, senior in point of time: as, a prior and a junior incumbrance.

Previous: used adverbially, followed by to, like previous. See previous, a.

A superior officer; a superior.

Formerly, in Italy, a chief magistrate, as in the medieval republic of Florence.

Synonyms Abbot, Prior. See def. .

Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous

First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc.

a prior conviction; — said of an accused criminal.

The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.

a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the middle ages.