from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Prior \Pri"or\, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F.
prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See {Prior}, a.]
1. (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot
in dignity.
[1913 Webster]
2. a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the
middle ages. --[RHUD]
[PJC]
{Conventical prior}, or {Conventual prior}, a prior who is at
the head of his own house. See the Note under {Priory}.
{Claustral prior}, an official next in rank to the abbot in a
monastery; prior of the cloisters.
[1913 Webster]