Main Entry: ¹pri·or

Pronunciation: \ˈprī(-ə)r\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; both from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, administrator, from Latin, former, superior

Date: before 12th century

1 : the superior ranking next to the abbot of a monastery
2 : the superior of a house or group of houses of any of various religious communities

— pri·or·ate \ˈprī-ə-rət\ noun

— pri·or·ship \ˈprī(-ə)r-ˌship\ noun