from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Prest \Prest\, n. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. OF. prester to
lend, F. pr[^e]ter, fr. L. praestare to stand before, to
become surety for, to fulfill, offer, supply; prae before +
stare to stand. See {Pre-}, and {Stand}, and cf. {Press} to
force into service.]
1. Ready money; a loan of money. [Obs.]
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Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks.
--Bacon.
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2. (Law) A duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his
account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining
in his hands. --Cowell.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Prest \Prest\, a. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. L. praestus ready.
Cf. {Presto}.]
1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.]
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All prest to such battle he was. --R. of
Gloucester.
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2. Neat; tidy; proper. [Obs.] --Tusser.
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{Prest money}, money formerly paid to men when they enlisted
into the British service; -- so called because it bound
those that received it to be ready for service when called
upon.
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