prior

Latin prior was the comparative form of an archaic Latin adjective meaning 'forward' — earlier, former, previous, superior. Prior described time and rank simultaneously: earlier in time and higher in order. The same root gives priority (what comes first), priory (a prior's house), and the adverb 'prior to' (before). Primus (first) and prior (earlier/more important) share the same root.

In Benedictine monasticism, the prior was the monk second in authority to the abbot — the one who 'came before' other monks in rank, and who deputized for the abbot. When there was no abbot (in a priory that lacked abbatial status, or when the abbot was absent), the prior governed. The Dominican and Franciscan orders gave the title even more prominence: their leaders were called Priors Provincial and Prior General.

The priory — a monastery governed by a prior rather than an abbot — was a common medieval institution. Dissolved by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries (1536–1541), many English priories became country houses. Lacock Abbey, Mottisfont Abbey, Mount Grace Priory: the architecture survived the dissolution, repurposed for secular life, the prior's authority replaced by private ownership.

In secular life, 'prior' survives in legal and administrative language: a prior record, prior art (in patent law), prior claim. The comparative sense — this came before, therefore it has precedence — is precise and useful. The monk's title and the legal term share the Latin prior exactly.