prior

1. prior (adj) — sense 1

Definition: Coming before in order or time; earlier, former, previous.

Example: His prior residence was smaller than his current one.

2. prior (adj) — sense 2

Definition: More important or significant.

3. prior (adj) — sense 3

Definition: Chiefly in prior probability: of the probability of an event: determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.

4. prior (adv) — sense 4

Definition: Chiefly followed by to: in advance, before, previously.

Example: The doctor had known three months prior.

5. prior (noun) — sense 5

Definition: A prior probability distribution, that is, one determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.

6. prior (noun) — sense 6

Definition: A prior probability distribution, that is, one determined without knowledge of the occurrence of other events that bear on it, before additional data is collected.: In the rationalsphere: a belief supported by previous evidence or experience that one can use to make inferences about the future.

Example: During each of these touchpoints, I'm asking myself where and how my thesis on each holding could be wrong. I'm checking each data point as it comes in against my priors. I'm comparing management behavior to what I would be doing if I were in their shoes.

7. prior (noun) — sense 7

Definition: A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record.

Example: And a little later we get the routine report on his prints from Washington, and he's got a prior back in Indiana, attempted hold-up six years ago.