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prior (1)

pri·or [ prr ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. earlier: earlier in time or sequence
a prior engagement

2. more important: more important or basic



noun  (plural pri·ors)
Definition:
 
earlier criminal conviction: an earlier conviction for a criminal act ( informal )
Check to see whether the suspect has any priors.

[Early 18th century. < Latin, "former, elder, superior," literally "more before"]

prior to somebody or something before somebody or something in time

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