Prior
Prior, derived from the Latin for “earlier, first”, (or prioress for nuns) is an ecclesiastical title for a superior, usually lower in rank than an abbot or abbess. Its earlier generic usage referred to any monastic superior.
Previous (adjective)
Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
“He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.”
Previous (adjective)
Premature; acting or occurring too soon.
Previous (noun)
An existing criminal record (short for “previous convictions”)
“It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous.”
Previous (noun)
a track record of similar behaviour.
Prior (adjective)
Advance; previous; coming before.
“I had no prior knowledge you were coming.”
Prior (adjective)
Former, previous.
“His prior residence was smaller than his current one.”
Prior (adverb)
Previously.
“The doctor had known three months prior.”
Prior (noun)
A high-ranking member of a monastery, usually lower in rank than an abbot.
Prior (noun)
A chief magistrate in Italy.
Prior (noun)
A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone’s record. from 19th c.
Prior (noun)
In Bayesian inference, a prior probability distribution, one based on information or belief before additional data is collected. from 20th c.