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    Dendril Roots
      prior
      noun
      (Bayesian statistics) 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.
      (by extension) In the rationalsphere: a belief supported by previous evidence or experience that one can use to make inferences about the future.
      (Canada, US, law enforcement, chiefly in the plural) A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record.
      (Christianity) A high-ranking member of a religious house or religious order.
      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.
      An unincorporated community in Douglas County, Missouri, United States.
      A surname originating as an occupation for someone employed by a prior.
      (historical) A chief magistrate of the Republic of Florence (1115–1569) in what is now Italy.
      (historical) The elected head of a guild of craftsmen or merchants in some countries in Europe and South America.
      (obsolete) A person who is the earliest or most prominent in a field; the chief.
      (obsolete) (business) The head of a company.
      adjective
      Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.
      More important or significant.
      (Bayesian statistics) 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.
      adverb
      Chiefly followed by to: in advance, before, previously.
      Roots
      priorprior- · Latin · former, earlier
      Synonyms for prior
      precedingadjbeforeadvpreviousadjearlieradvforegoingadjpastadjanterioradjlastadjantecedentnfirstnrecentadj
      Words related to prior
      subsequentadjbeforetimepriorshipnforetimeantecedingvprioratevafteradjafteryearsduringpreviouslyadvforedatevbeforehandadvantedatevaforetimepredatevpremedicaladjagoneadjaforeagoadvinitialadjearliestadjhereinbeforeadvundermentionedadjfollowingnlateradvensuingadjprecedesvcommencingvprecededv

      Synonyms & related words for prior

      Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of prior — including preceding, before, previous, earlier, foregoing, past. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

      Words related to prior

      Explore words related to prior — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include subsequent, beforetime, priorship, foretime, anteceding, priorate, after, afteryears. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

      Synonyms for prior

      Common synonyms for prior include preceding, before, previous, earlier, foregoing, past, anterior, last — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

      Where does prior come from?

      The word prior breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root prior-, from Latin prior (“former, earlier”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.

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