Definition: prior

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

prior
     adj : earlier in time [syn: anterior, prior]
     n : the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next
         below the abbot

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Prior \Pri"or\, a.
   First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition,
   reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc.
Prior \Pri"or\, a. [L. prior former, previous, better, superior;
   compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See
   Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.]
   Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior;
   previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used
   elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in
   the time] prior to his marriage.
Prior \Pri"or\, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F.
   prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.]
   (Eccl.)
   The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.

   Conventical, or Conventual, prior, a prior who is at
      the head of his own house. See the Note under Priory.

   Claustral prior, an official next in rank to the abbot in a
      monastery; prior of the cloisters.