Priorly

pri·or ¹  (prr)

adj.

1. Preceding in time or order: "[They] insist that foreign vessels seeking access obtain prior approval" (Seymour M. Hersh).

2. Preceding in importance or value: a prior consideration.

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[Latin; see prior².]

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prior·ly adv.

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pri·or ²  (prr)

n.

1. A monastic officer in charge of a priory or ranking next below the abbot of an abbey.

2. One of the ruling magistrates of the medieval Italian republic of Florence.

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[Middle English priour, from Old English and Old French prior, both from Medieval Latin, from Latin, superior; see per¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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prior·ate (-t), prior·ship (-shp) n.