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.
First, precedent, or superior in the order of cognition, reason or generality, origin, development, rank, etc.
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.
a prior conviction; - said of an accused criminal.