prior1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈprʌɪə/

adjective

[attributive]
  • existing or coming before in time, order, or importance: he has a prior engagement this evening

noun

North American informal
  • a previous criminal conviction: he had no juvenile record, no priors

Phrases

prior to

before: she visited me on the day prior to her death

Origin:

early 18th century: from Latin, literally 'former, elder', related to prae 'before'