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Where does the word "prior" come from? It comes from Latin prior, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "prior" come from? It comes from Latin prior, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).
Prior’s story begins in Latin: prior meant “former, superior.” Comparative of an old word for 'before'. It reached English by 1700s as prior. A monastery's 'prior' is the same word. Today, prior means existing before.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient prior "former, superior", comparative of an old word for 'before'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1700s prior "earlier", a monastery's 'prior' is the same word.