Meaning
Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
The adjective is a learned borrowing from Latin prior (“earlier, former, previous, prior; in front; (figurative) better, superior”), from Proto-Italic *priōs (“earlier, previous”, literally “more before”), ultimately from *pri (“before”) (from Proto-Indo-European *pró (“leading to, toward”) and its etymon *per- (“before, in front; first”)) + *-jōs (suffix forming comparative adjectives). Doublet of before, fore, and former. The adverb and noun are derived from the adjective.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
posterior
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles: