prior etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English: "pryur"
  • Anglo-French: "priour"
  • Latin: "prior"

Meaning:

In its original ecclesiastical context, "prior" meant the head of a monastery or religious house, subordinate to the abbot or abbess. Today, it has several meanings:

  • Ecclesiastical: The head of a religious community or the superior of a monastery.
  • Academic: The head of a college or university.
  • Military: A person who has higher rank than a sergeant but lower than a commissioned officer.
  • Business/Finance: A person who has seniority but is not the highest-ranking executive.

Origin:

The word "prior" originated from the Latin term "prior," which means "foremost" or "first." In an ecclesiastical context, the prior was the first or foremost member of the community, after the abbot or abbess. Over time, the term came to be used in other contexts to describe anyone who has a position of seniority or higher rank.

prior relate terms

  • prior

    Etymology Old English pryur Anglo French priour Latin prior Meaning In its

  • prioress

    Etymology Middle English prioresse Anglo Norman French prioresse Latin priorissa Lat

  • prior

    Etymology Old English pryur Anglo French priour Latin prior Meaning In its

  • priority

    Etymology The word priority comes from the Latin word prioritas which means the st

  • priory

    Etymology The word priory derives from the Old English word prior which in turn come

  • prius

    Etymology The word Prius is derived from the Latin word prior meaning earlier or

  • premeditation

    Etymology The word premeditation is derived from the Latin word praemeditatio which

  • anamnesis

    Etymology The word anamnesis is derived from the Greek words ἀνά ana meaning

  • Plymouth

    Etymology The name Plymouth is derived from two Old English words Plim Meaning pl

  • addiction

    Etymology The word addiction is derived from the Latin word addictio which means s

  • superior

    Etymology The word superior originates from the Latin word superior which means hi

  • ethnic

    Meaning of Ethnic Etymology Ethnic etymology refers to the false or unscientific explana

  • cynic

    Etymology The word cynic comes from the Greek word κυνικός kunikos which me